WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
John Anton “Jack” Wigren, 89, residing in Granger, Ind., passed away at 12:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at The Hearth at Juday Creek.
He was born Feb. 25, 1924, in Oak Park, Ill., to the late John Anton and Esther (Wengadahl) Wigren. On Sept. 10, 1949, Jack married the former Marlyn E. Olson at Albany Park Lutheran Church in Chicago. She survives.
In addition to his loving wife of 63 years, Jack is survived by daughters Gail (Scott) Leister of Middlebury, Ind. and Lynn (Matt) Ehlhardt of Chico, Calif.; sons Brad (Deborah) Wigren of Middlebury and Scott (Nancy) Wigren of Kirkland, Wash.; nine grandchildren, Laura, Matthew, Emy, Rikki, Benjamin, Maggie, Jack, Andrew and Katie; and four great-grandchildren, Jay, Wyatt, Myles and Cooper. He was preceded in death by a sister, Beverly Sundstrom; and a brother, Nels Wigren.
Jack graduated from Oak Park High School in Oak Park, Ill. He served his country honorably in the United States Army, piloting a B-29 bomber while stationed in Guam. He founded a heavy equipment operation company, Drydon Equipment, in Arlington Heights, Ill. He retired after running the company from 1970-1991. Jack was a member of the EAA, Experimental Aircraft Association and Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Constantine.
Memorial services for Jack will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, 185 W. 5th St., Constantine. The Rev. Dennis Smith will officiate. Friends may visit with the family in the church from 10-11 a.m. and then again at a luncheon following services. Burial will be held at a later date in Ft. Custer National VA Cemetery, Augusta. Palmer Funeral Home — Hickey Chapel and Southlawn Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Jack may be donated to the church or Make-A-Wish Foundation, 648 Monroe Avenue N.W., Suite 104, Grand Rapids, MI 49053. Online condolences may be left for the Wigren family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
