Eldon Craig Wical

Eldon Craig Wical, age 85, of Jackson Center, Ohio passed away Monday afternoon, December 7, 2020 at 1:17 p.m. at Lima Memorial Hospital.

Eldon was born in Lima, Ohio June 4, 1935, to the late Edward W. and R. Romaine (Baughn) Wical.  He was also preceded in death by his brother, Larry L. Wical.

Eldon married Barbara Woodard July 12, 1980, in Kenton, Ohio and she survives in Jackson Center.  He is also survived by sons: Dr. Shelden C. (Natalie) Wical of Ft. Loramie, and Kyle S. (Pennie) Wical of Jackson Center; six grandchildren, Alison (Alan) Frilling, Stephanie (Jimmy) Calhoun, Geoffrey Wical, Amanda (Josh) Rhodes, Ryan (Rachel) Wical and Brian (Bethany) Wical; sixteen great-grandchildren, Ty, Ashley, McKenzie, Diegan, Ethan, Luke, Ashton, Nevayeh, Lincoln, Britain, Brian Jr., Alivia, Brennen, Brooklyn, Aiden and Ava and a brother-in-law, William G. Woodard of Forest.

Eldon was a 1953 graduate of Jackson Center High School.  He helped his parents with the Boy Scouts – Troop #90 of Jackson Center.  Eldon worked for a number of years at Painter Construction as a mason and general builder.   He then worked as the head maintenance man and bus driver at Jackson Center Local Schools for twenty three years until he retired.  He served on the Jackson Center School Board and was a confirmed member of the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jackson Center where he served on the church council.

Eldon was an avid fan of the Jackson Center Tigers, The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns.  He was the timekeeper for both boys and girls high school basketball teams at Jackson Center for thirty five years and also a bus driver for the girls teams.  In April 2017, Eldon was honored by the Jackson Center Education Foundation with the “Teachers That Touch Lives” Award.  Since his retirement, Eldon has spent many hours in his garden, both vegetable and flower.  For the past fourteen years he and his wife Barb, have served as volunteer directors of the Fish Pond Food Pantry in Jackson Center.

Friends may call Thursday, December 10, 2020, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Jackson Center.  Pastor Shelly Schultz will officiate Eldon’s funeral Friday, December 11, at 10 a.m. at the church.  Burial will be at the Pearl Cemetery in Swanders.  Due to current pandemic orders, please be symptom free, practice social distancing and wear a mask.  If you are uncomfortable being with the family in person, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Jackson Center is honored to serve the Wical family.

E.T.