John A. Wigal, Sr.

John A. Wigal, Sr. of Belpre, OH went to be with the Lord on July 29th 2009.  He passed at home surrounded by his loving family. 

John was born in Marietta, OH on September 21, 1921, to the son of Parker and Pearl Shires Wigal.  He graduated from Marietta High School in 1942; he then attended Marietta College.  John served in the United States Navy for four and a half years, WWII and the Korean Conflict.  He graduated from electrician’s school in Detroit, MI and made his career as an electrician.  He was a 50-year member of the AF&M #1 Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Scottish Rite, IBEW 972 and a 50-year member of the VFW.  He was also a Past Patron, Marietta OES 59.  John was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church. 

On June 22, 1946 he was united in marriage with Guelda Noland.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years, son John (Weegie) Jr. of Vincent, daughter Kathy (Dennis) Rezabek of Marietta, former daughter-in-law Winnie (Rodney) Gill of Hockingport; step-brother retired Major Donald E. Kilmer; grandchildren: Ricky (Jana) Joseph of Newport, Jennifer Wigal of Belpre, Brian Joseph and partner Dennis Lumbatis of Reno, Jeff (Shannon) Joseph of Marietta, Laura (Nehi) Copeland of Stewart  and Anna Gill of Hockingport; great grandchildren: Alex Joseph, Braeyn Joseph and soon-to-be baby girl Joseph; step-grandchildren: Robert (Holly) Ellis of Marietta, and Linda (Eric) Grady of Grafton, WV;  step-great grandchildren: RJ and Maddie Ellis, Allison and Tyler Grady, Nicholas Fowler and Breanna Keffer;  several nieces and nephews; his beloved dog Pretty Girl, and cat Daisy Mae. 

John is the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by his parents Parker and Pearl Shires Wigal; stepmother Iva; brother Harold Wigal; sisters Grace Blouir & Katheryn Combs, and infant brother and sister. 

John found great joy in his life through the Lord, his loving wife, children, grandchildren and his pets. 

Special thanks are extended to the Marietta Memorial Hospice staff, Dr. Curtis Dehmlow and Dr. Kelli Cawley and dear neighbors, Lee and Linda Shutts.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:  Home Nursing Service & Hospice, 210 N. 7th St. , Marietta, OH 45750.

Funeral services will be 11 am Saturday  (August 1) at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with burial in East Lawn Memorial Park.  Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 pm Friday until the hour of service.  Masonic services will be held at the funeral home on Friday evening at 7:00.  Messages of sympathy may be sent at:   www.mslfuneralhome.com.