Jani

With heavy hearts, the family of Jane E. “Jani” Wood (nee Gebhard) announces that she passed away on Monday, November 9th, 2026, at the age of 75. Jani was a beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and servant of God. We trust that she is resting in peace with her late husband, Thomas “Tom” Wood, and her late son, Tommy Wood. Jani is survived by her sister Barbara Berg, her children Michael (Melissa) Wood, Joy (Billy) Rabe, Carol (Karl Biewald) Wood, Nick (Kay) Wood, and Laura (Todd) George, and her grandchildren Kayla, Chris, and Ethan Wood, Forest and Hazel Rabe, Rosemary and Eloise Biewald, Genevieve George, and Otto Wood.

Jani was an alumnus of St. Margaret of Cortona, Marian High School, and Xavier University. She was one of the first women to attend classes at Purcell High School before it combined with Marian High School to create the co-ed Purcell-Marian High School in existence today. She was also one of the first women to attend Xavier University, where she met Tom. She had intended to work in early childhood education before deciding to leave Xavier to focus her attention on raising her own children. While her career-focus may have changed, her path in life never did. Her devotion to her family, friends and faith could not be denied. While she spent much of her life as a full-time mother, she also spent time working in fields of care and creativity. Between 1977-1979, she worked at the Montessori Center Rooms. She also worked as an assistant teacher, a sitter in a local cooperative of families, and an activities coordinator at local nursing homes. She periodically served as a Sunday School teacher, a Confirmation advisor, and a beacon of light for parishioners of the former St. Margaret-St. John Parish, which has since been combined with St. Cecilia Parish to form the Eastside Family of Parishes. Those who’ve met Jani will recall her warm smile, twinkling eyes and firm embrace.

The family will receive friends at the visitation on Tuesday, November 17th at 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10AM at The Oratory of St. John Vianney at St. Anthony Church, 6104 Desmond St. (45227) Madisonville. Graveside service to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her honor to The Parkinson’s Foundation, People Working Cooperatively, 3440 E Kemper Road (45241), Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or the Eastside Family of Parishes.