John Wiggins

1958 - 2025

John Wiggins

August 20, 1958 - March 6, 2025

John Wiggins, 66, of Wilmington, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at his home. Memorial services for John will be 12 pm Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Visitation will be from 10 am until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island, Memorials may be made to the family for a memorial fund that will be established later.

Well, if you're reading this, I guess I finally ran out of gas. But don't worry-I had one heck of a ride.

I was born on August 20, 1958, in Galesburg, Illinois, and grew up in a big, lively family with three sisters and two brothers. We started out living in a funeral home (yes, really), which certainly kept things… interesting. Eventually, we moved to Rock Island, Illinois, where I spent my days riding my bike for miles, camping under the stars, and finding adventure wherever I could.

I was a father of five great kids that I reluctantly didn't spend as much time with as I should have, but I loved them all in my own way, usually with a joke and my favorite question: "What are you doing, and why are you doing it?"

School was a challenge for me, but I found I was good with my hands. I built and ran a bar downtown Rock Island called the Rock Island Rapids. There I made a lot of great friends, shared a lot of laughs, and probably told a few too many bad jokes. When I wasn't working, you could usually find me on the court playing racquetball or pickleball, riding my bike or cruising on my Indian motorcycle. Eventually, I traded the Midwest for the coast, moving to Wilmington, North Carolina, where I built a career remodeling homes and businesses.

Wilmington wasn't just a place to live-it was where I found another family. The friends I made there became more than just friends; they were my people, my extended family, and my partners in adventure (and maybe a little mischief). No matter how busy life got, I always made time for a long bike ride, a workout, and my weekly call to my mom.

In the end, it was my heart that finally gave out, though I'd like to think I used it well while I had it. I was lucky-I had a large family who loved me, friends I cherished, and a lifetime of memories made under big skies and open roads. I hope you all live long, healthy lives, filled with laughter, adventure, and-if you really want to honor me-a truly terrible pun now and then.

So, what are you doing, and why are you doing it? Whatever it is, I hope it makes you smile.

John is survived by his mother, Mary "Deannie" Wiggins; siblings, Melinda (Tom) Doyle, Mike (Jane) Wiggins, Anne (Jeff) Prickett, Nancy (Greg) Fisher; children Katrina (Brandon) Adams, Alissa (Patrick) Herbert, David (Catie) Luster, Jacob Luster and Carli Milne; grandchildren, Christopher, Corbin, Makayla, Braylin, Chaz, Cole, Whitney and great grandchildren, Amelia and Zella. He is predeceased by his father, William Wiggins and his brother, Mark Wiggins.

Online condolences to wheelanpressly.com.