Charles Lee "Chuck" Wood

Charles Lee "Chuck" Wood, age 78, of Westphalia, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at his home.

Born on May 26, 1948, in Ottawa, Kansas, he was the son of Cleo Leroy and Naomi Irene (Anderson) Wood. A lifelong learner obsessed with reading from an early age, an uncle joked that he worried Chuck would get "too many words in his head." Chuck's early education began in a one-room schoolhouse at Scott Valley before he attended Westphalia schools, graduating with the Westphalia High School class of 1966. During his school days, he played football and loved playing the tuba, frequently playing a bit louder than his teacher preferred, which earned him a polite "request to leave class" on more than one occasion. He also possessed a natural intellect that sometimes irritated his classmates, as he rarely had to study to earn an "A" on almost every exam. Many of his relationships from those years endured, and he maintained lifelong friendships with all 16 members of his graduating class.

A defining moment of his youth happened around age 13, when a girl on another school bus caught his eye, and that same girl, Jean Bierly, waved back at the red-headed boy. That mutual wave blossomed into a romance, and on December 21, 1968, Chuck and Jean were united in marriage at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Westphalia. Together, they enjoyed 57 wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with twin daughters, Karen and Lori.

From October 1967 to August 1970, Chuck proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Stationed in Okinawa, he was joined there by Jean, and their daughters were born there in 1969. Upon receiving an early discharge to pursue his education, Chuck utilized the G.I. Bill to the fullest. He attended Allen County Community College before earning his bachelor's and master's degrees, alongside numerous additional credit hours, all dedicated to special education at Emporia State University.

Upon returning from Okinawa to Westphalia, Chuck worked various odd jobs, from hauling hay to painting houses, while pursuing his education. After earning his master's degree, he secured his first and last career job with the ANW Special Education Cooperative, starting with an office in Iola before moving to Humboldt. In his early days, as the sole psychologist covering five counties, Chuck logged many miles on the road. Throughout his career, he served in several roles within ANW, eventually retiring in 2004 as the Special Education Coordinator. Not quite finished serving students, he returned to work as the Director of Special Education for the Ottawa school district for three years, spent six years working in Burlington, and finally returned home to ANW for five more years before retiring for good in 2020. Wherever he went, Chuck was known as a collaborative problem solver; rather than acting as a micro manager, he empowered each school building to find its own solutions to their challenges.

Outside of his professional life, Chuck had a rich array of personal interests. He loved spending time outdoors, cutting wood, being a lifelong member of the Lions Club, and following politics. Above all, he cherished every moment spent with his daughters and later his grandchildren, Paige Erin Habiger and Connor Carl Habiger. He deeply appreciated Jean's cooking, loved cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and KU Jayhawks, and enjoyed taking drives with Jean and their dog, Barry, alongside caring for their cats, Maisey Jane and Maggie Mae, despite their tendency to be difficult to love.

He was a quiet, introspective man who thought very deeply about things. He was the best person to turn to in a difficult situation. He was the voice of calmness and reason in a family of overly emotional women. He loved nature and we always joked about him being a "tree hugger".

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Chester Wood; his sisters, Jo Cushing and Lou Ratliff; and his father and mother-in-law, Carl and Mil Bierly.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife, Jean; his daughters, Lori Wood Habiger and husband Todd, and Karen Wood; his grandchildren, Paige Erin Habiger and Max Joshua, and Connor Carl Habiger and Rosie Miller; his sister, Mary Cahoone; his sister-in-law, Carol Bierly Watt; his cousin whom he thought of as a brother, Roger Cook and wife Marlene; and numerous nieces and nephews. The loss of Chuck meant losing a cheerleader, voice of reason, silly man, intellectual genius, and best friend to his family and those who loved him.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 6:30 PM on Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. Teresa Catholic Cemetery in Westphalia. Memorial contributions may be made to the Westphalia Lions Club (for playground equipment for the park) and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.