Jerry Bob Wiggins

1939 - 2020

Jerry Bob Wiggins

Born: June 19, 1939

Died: December 28, 2020

Jerry Bob Wiggins, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, died Monday, Dec. 28. He was 81.

Jerry was born on June 19, 1939 in Farrington Township, Il. He was the first child of Effie Mae and Roy Elvis Wiggins, and brother to Shirley and Gary. As a young child, he moved with his family to DeKalb, where he eventually met his future wife, Darlene. Upon seeing her for the first time while driving down Route 38, Jerry remarked to his friend, "I'm going to marry that girl." And he did: They were married on Feb. 8, 1958.

Jerry graduated from DeKalb High School in 1957, where he was active with the Future Farmers of America. From a young age, he worked on a family farm alongside his father before starting a career at Del Monte. Over the years, he worked his way up from mechanic to farm supervisor, eventually overseeing field operations before retiring after 35 years. Many who worked for him considered Jerry to be a true mentor and leader. In retirement, he worked for Hammett Family Farms and Afton Township.

Jerry loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman - whether he was after catfish in Wisconsin, deer in southern Illinois or elk in Colorado. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and previously served as president of the DeKane Snow Trackers snowmobile club. A beloved neighbor and active community member, Jerry volunteered for years with the DeKalb County Sheriff's search and rescue snowmobile team to help stranded people in winter. He was also a member of Hetchler's O.F.C. (Old Farts Club), meeting weekly with the group for coffee in Cortland.

Jerry will be remembered for many things: his uncanny sense of humor; fishing trips Up North with his grandkids; his unwavering love for his wife, Darlene; and the way he answered the phone with "yell-o."

Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Roy Elvis Wiggins; mother, Effie Mae Wiggins (née Ellis); brother, Gary Wiggins; wife, Darlene Wiggins (née Dean); son, Robert Andrew Wiggins; daughter, Jerri Lynne Wiggins; and dogs, Cassie, Nugget, Gunnar, Emie and Hunter.

He is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Dubose (Jeff) and Robin Novak (Marty); grandchildren, Andrea Spillone (Anthony), Collin Bredeson, Amelia Pisapia, Ashlee Kroeger (Brendan), Abigayle Larkin, Alexis Millea (Tim), Taylor Adams (Kyle), Patrick Price, Adam Price, Melody VanderLeest (Randy); great-grandchildren, Riley, Matthew, Ava, Jacob, Allaura, Lucy, Maxwell, Lia, Jayme and Fiona; sister, Shirley Lutz (née Wiggins); sisters-in-law, Jacqueline Rains and Clementine Russell; many nieces and nephews; and countless wonderful friends.

Due to coronavirus, there will not be a ceremony, but the family will be hosting a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Jerry Wiggins Memorial Fund, addressed to the Wiggins Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

Special thanks to all the medical professionals who provided Jerry with care and comfort over the years, including Dr. Rakesh Patel at Northwestern Medicine, Kindred Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care, in particular, caregivers Matthew, Angie and Mark.