Lt. Philip Michael Wigal

Lt. Philip Michael Wigal, 35 of West Salem died Monday April 11, 2022 in the line of duty while working on an injury accident on I-71.

He was born February 26, 1987 in Parkersburg, West Virginia the son of Mike and Kathy (Whipkey) Wigal.

Phil would always greet you with a smile and a hug. He had a big heart and a great passion for helping the people in the community. He was a good man and a great father. Phil loved being with his family especially his two little girls. He loved them so much and they were his world.

He married Lindsey (Arnold) Wigal on October 2, 2021. Who he loved and cherished very much. Every time he talked about her; he had the biggest smile on his face.

Phil graduated in 2006 from Northwestern High School. After high school he volunteered on the Town and Country Fire Department before he became a full time Firefighter and Advanced EMT. He was a member of the Town & Country Fire District for 16 years where he was an inspector, EMS Instructor, and President of the Town and Country Fire Association. Phil also worked part time on the Lodi and Canaan Fire Departments. He attended Church of the Nazarene in Wooster where he served on the safety team. He also enjoyed deer hunting.

Phil is survived by his wife; Lindsey, daughters; Gracelynn and Gwendelynn, parents; Mike and Kathy Wigal of Wooster, brother; Matt (Dana) Wigal of Wooster, nieces; Ella, Elise, Embri, and Eastyn Wigal, nephews; Nolan, Cole and Joelle Peters, father and mother in-law; Bill (Tess) Arnold of Millersburg, brother and sister-in-law; Eliott (Mallory) Peters; brother-in-law: Brady Arnold and several aunts and uncles.

Phil was preceded in death by his grandparents: Lester Wigal, Geneva Wigal, Lorene Wigal, Marvin Whipkey and Ruthaline Whipkey and his uncles: Roger Wigal, Roger Bell and Bobby Garver.

The loss of Phil has devastated this town and the fire and rescue community. His loss will be felt by many and remembered by all.

Funeral Service will be Friday April 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, 3100 Oak Hill Road in Wooster with Pastor Nate Ward II officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the church. Burial in West Salem Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Town and Country Fire Department, P.O. Box 175, West Salem, Ohio 44287. Matteson Funeral Home in West Salem is assisting the family with arrangements. The family would find great comfort if you shared a memory of Phil on the funeral home’s website mattesonfh.com.

The live stream can be found at https://youtu.be/LqQrI3vHFGg

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