Thelma M. Wigton, age 96, of Mount Gilead, went to her field of dreams, early Saturday morning, October 12, 2013, in the company of her beloved cat Bailey, and loving care of her granddaughter in Ashland.
Thelma was born July 24, 1917 in Licking County, Ohio, one of five children of the late Raymond and Joanna (Searles) Wigton. She was raised in Galena, where she graduated from Galena High School in the Class of 1934.
Shortly after high school, Thelma married Leonard E. Wigton, on June 4, 1935. As a family, they moved to Mount Gilead in 1938, because of the position he took with the electric company. Together they shared over 45 years of marriage and raised four children. He preceded her in death on August 23, 1980.
For her family she was a caring homemaker and avid sports fan.
With her love for sports, Thelma spent every day she could either at the softball diamond or the bowling alley. Every summer, she was playing softball, watching softball, coaching softball, or keeping score for a softball game. She was instrumental in bringing girl’s softball to Mount Gilead, and managed leagues for many years. She also kept score for hundreds, if not thousands, of church softball league games too. In 2006, she was honored to be given an award by the Mount Gilead High School softball team for her dedication to their team.
And “morning league”… those of you who joined her Monday through Friday from the day school dismissed until it started again in the fall, enjoyed baseball the Thelma Wigton way!
Bowling was her other sporting activity, as she and her colleagues garnered trophies in leagues in Mt. Gilead & Galion, travelled for tournaments wherever held, and substituted any time a team was short 1 player. She also was very involved in the junior bowling programs in Morrow County, and spent countless hours Saturday mornings attempting to help bowlers hit their marks.
Through the world of sports, Thelma touched and made an impact on the lives of countless youth. She was honored by Mt. Gilead in 2009 with the Dr. Nathan Tucker Award for her years of service. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all of her players.
She is survived by three children: Jeannette Sebring of Ashland, Terry Wigton of Owensboro, KY, and Tony (Jody) Wigton of Columbus; 5 grandchildren: Michael (Pat) Sebring, Michelle Murphy, Julie Rush, Jeanne Hardt and Kelly Wigton; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Opal Davis of Columbus; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including her husband and parents, Thelma was preceded in death by her son, Wendell “Butch” Wigton; a granddaughter, Jenny; and three brothers: Harold, Lester and Kenneth Feasel.
Her family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 17th, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services honoring her life will also be held there on Friday at 10:00 a.m., with Celebrant Don Lockwood officiating. Burial will follow in Rivercliff Cemetery.
Contributions may be made any local youth sports association or humane society of your choice in her memory.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead are honored to have been chosen to serve Thelma’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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