Daniel K Wiggins Sr.

Daniel K. Wiggins Sr. age 88, of Cambridge, OH passed away Saturday, March 18, 2017 at his home. He was born June 25, 1928 in Columbus, OH, son of the late Glendon A. Wiggins and Annabelle Tegtmeier Trout.

Dan served and protected his nation in the US Army by serving in the following World War II, Korea and Vietnam.  He was selected in 2007 by Gov. Ted Strickland for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Wiggins came to Cambridge as a recruiter for the U.S. Army in 1960. He liked Guernsey County so much he decided to stay after he retired with more than 20 years of service. He was the recruiter in Guernsey and Noble counties for eight years. He received the following awards during his career in the military: The Silver Star Medal; The Bronze Star Medal;  Good Conduct Medal, 5th Award; Meritorious Unit Citation; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp; National Defense Service Medal with 1 Silver Service Star; Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star with a 1 Silver Service Star; Combat Infantry Badge - 1st Award; United Nations Service Medal; Honorable Service Lapel Button – WWII; Driver and Mechanic Badge; Sharp Shooter Badge with Carbine Bar.   After retiring from the Army, he served 10 years as a captain in the Ohio Military Reserve in Cambridge and Muskingum Counties.

The concerns of veterans became a lifelong passion for Wiggins. He became the Guernsey County Veterans Service Officer in 1968 and served in that capacity until 1989. He served for many years as a member of the Guernsey County Veterans Service Commission. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2901, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 28, American Legion Post 84 and Amvets. Wiggins served as State Commander of the DAV from 1980 to 1981. He was elected to two terms as President of Veterans Association of State Commanders and Adjutants for Ohio (1981 and 1982), representing all veteran’s organizations in Ohio and at that time had the honor of welcoming then President Ronald Reagan to the State of Ohio on behalf of Ohio’s Veteran organizations. He was past State resident of the Ohio State Veterans Association of State Commanders and Adjutants, he also was past President of the DAV Association of all State Commanders and Adjutants nationally. Throughout his involvement in veteran’s affairs over the years, Wiggins had visited every veteran’s hospital in Ohio — often in the company of his wife Norma Wiggins and the late Senator Robert T. Secrest. Dan was also an active member of Guernsey Lodge #66 F&AM and received his 50 year pin in 2012.

In his later years, Dan enjoyed the company of his wife Norma, taking long walks, spending time with their children, and caring for their pets which included numerous breeds of dogs and exotic birds. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years Norma Louise Dougherty Wiggins, whom he married December 31, 1945 and who passed away March 13, 2017; a son Daniel K. Wiggins Jr.; a great-grandchild Taylor Ann Conrad; siblings Glendon “Jack” and wife Connie Wiggins, Raymond Low, Francis Darlene Browning and Vicky Gearheart.

Those left to cherish his memory are 4 daughters Connie Reynolds of Pleasant City, Linda S. (Danny) Wheeler of Pleasant City, Deborah A. (Donald) Campbell of Byesville, and Kimberly J. (Stephen) Haught of Byesville; 1 son Michael D. (Karen) Wiggins of Pleasant City; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; siblings Paul Low, Flora Sturgill, Jacqualine Cox, Faith Messer, Star Tegtmeier, James Trout, and David Wiggins. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Cremation will be observed and the family will receive friends for a memorial visitation Sunday, April 2, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Chandler Funeral Home, 609 West Street, Caldwell, OH 43724. A Masonic Service will conclude visitation Sunday at 5:00 pm with a memorial service immediately following, with the Honorable Judge David A. Ellwood officiating. Military honors will follow provided by the Guernsey County Veterans Council. Inurnment will follow at a later date in Northwood Cemetery in Cambridge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Dan’s memory to Hospice of Guernsey Inc., P.O. Box 1165, Cambridge, OH 43725 or the American Cancer Society, Central Region – NOBL, 870 Michigan Ave., Columbus, OH 43215.

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