He was born June 27, 1935, in Dixon, IL, to Pearl and Flossie Wigginton. He attended Dixon High School, where he loved running barefoot in cross-country races. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1953 and received an honorable discharge in 1957.
Don attended Northern Illinois University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961 and went on to earn his Masters of Science and Education degree from NIU in 1970. Being a lifelong avid reader and learner, he later in life pursued another passion and was awarded the title of Master Gardener in 1999 from the University of Illinois.
Don taught History and coached Cross Country at Sterling High School from 1961 to 1971. He then became a UniServ Director for the Illinois Education Association. He retired from IEA in 1990.
Don was a Chicago sports fan following the Bears and was an especially loyal Chicago Cubs fan. He loved the outdoors, tending to his garden and flowers, and feeding the birds. He enjoyed taking long, quiet walks to commune with nature and walked several miles per day until a short time before his death.
Don is survived by his wife, Carolyn Persico Wigginton of Rock Falls; children including Joleen (Terry) Fischer of Springfield, IL, Scott (Julie) Wigginton of Rock Falls, IL, Eric Wigginton of Anchorage, AK and Heather (Lew) Sauder of Plainfield, IL; and brothers David (Carolyn) of Sterling, IL and Lou (Pat) of Dixon, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Freda and Pattie, and brothers Bob and Harold.
Cremation rights have been accorded. There will be a Celebration of Life service at the Candlelight Inn in Rock Falls, IL, on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 12:00 noon.
