HOWARD A. WIGDAHL

Howard A. Wigdahl, age 82, of Casstown, OH passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Hospice of Miami County. He was born on May 8, 1942 in Langford, SD to William and Fern (Carson) Wigdahl. As the oldest of seven children Howard supported his family’s farm during the period of rural electrification, shaping his work ethic and character. From these experiences Howard shared lessons with his children such as “lunch sandwiches taste better when heated on the engine block of the tractor”! In school, Howard excelled academically, played basketball, and graduated from Langford High School. In 1965, Howard earned a Bachelor of Science degree from South Dakota State University in Engineering Physics. After graduation, he took a big step and moved to the “big city” of Dayton, Ohio where he began service as a civilian electrical engineer for the U.S. Air Force in the field of defensive electronic warfare. In this field, he integrated capabilities onto many Air Force aircraft that have protected innumerable aircrew in the decades since.

In 1969, Howard married Jewell Campbell (of Kentucky), a teacher at nearby Fairborn High School and the love of his life. The couple settled down on a farm near Casstown, Ohio where together over the next 35 years they would raise five children. Howard’s family was truly central to his life. He served Jewell as a faithful and selfless husband. He served as a Bible study leader at church. And he served his children as an exceptional father and mentor, plus a soccer coach for each of their teams. Howard completed his service to the US Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force base after 42 years, ultimately as the lead F-16 Fighting Falcon Program Engineer. During his later work years, he ceaselessly supported his daughter Ann during her long-term illness and his wife Jewell during her four-year journey with cancer. At a grief support group after Jewell’s death Howard met Becky Rice, a special friend and incredible support. Howard and Becky developed a great friendship where they supported each other and their families in the intervening decades. After retirement, Howard remained active in his faith, participated in humanitarian missions to Nicaragua, and served at First Place Food Pantry in Troy, Ohio.

In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his wife Jewell, daughter Ann, and sister Barbara James. He is survived by his special friend Becky Rice; sons Alan (Clara) Wigdahl of Rancho Palo Verdes, CA, Jeffrey Wigdahl of Findlay, Ohio, and Erick (Jill) Wigdahl of Shelby County, Ohio; daughter Kimberly (Thomas) Plunk of Verona, Wisconsin; granddaughter Andrea Wigdahl of SC; grandsons Noah and Micah Wigdahl of CA; and stepgrandsons Alec and Owen Casto of OH.

Howard’s surviving siblings are Mary (John) Hecht of Montana, Margaret (Alan) Tupper of CA, James (Susan) Wigdahl of SD, Robert (Bethany) Wigdahl of SD, Lois (Gary) Passarino of CA, and sister-in-law Goldie Jones of KY. Howard is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Howard was very proud of his family, which to his great credit he had prioritized early in his work career. His family is comforted by the fact that he “loved each of us”, which he communicated daily.

Private family services were held with interment in Casstown Cemetery, Casstown, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Place Food Pantry, PO Box 81, Troy, OH 45373. Condolences may be expressed to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com.

HOWARD A. WIGDAHL

HOWARD A. WIGDAHL

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