Lawrence Dean Wiggins, Sr., age 92, of North East, MD, passed away January 21, 2014 in Union Hospital of Elkton surrounded by his family.  Born on October 19, 1921 in Oakwood, MD, he was 1 of 8 children of the late Harry C. and the late Violet D. [Culley] Wiggins.

Mr. Wiggins devoted his life to his love of God, family, and community; he was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He married his bride of 67 years, Mary [Crothers] Wiggins of North East, MD, on April 19, 1947.  While starting their large family, he served as a Lead Navigator on B-29 planes in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and Korea.  He and his family maintained strong bonds with his crew members and their families with frequent reunions.  He was extremely proud of his service and welcomed the approach of strangers who thanked him for his role when they recognized his Air Force-related baseball caps that he became known for wearing.

Mr. Wiggins began working at the First National Bank of North East as a teller; by the time he retired after 51 years, he had served as an Executive Vice President and was on the Board of Directors.  On his own time he prepared taxes to help support his growing family.  During his banking career he served the North East Lions Club, United Way, Cecil College, March of Dimes, Board of Elections, Cecil County Fair, 4-H, and other organizations in various capacities.

He became a lifetime member of Zion United Methodist Church when he married Mary; he served in whatever roles needed, which included being a Lay Leader, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and being a member of Methodist Men.  For many years he served as Treasurer of Rosebank Cemetery Association.

Mr. Wiggins enjoyed talking and public speaking, collecting coins, fishing, hunting, helping with chores on the Crothers farm, mowing the yard on his tractor, his red Camaro, auctions, watching football, basketball, and NASCAR (especially Earnhardt), and travel.  Helping people in need brought joy to him and Mary.  As he gradually retired from professional life, he discovered a new passion in picking berries and making popular jellies from them to give away.

He leaves behind to mourn and celebrate his life his beloved wife, his children:   Charlotte Deborah Trout and her husband Gene of Edgewood, MD, Lawrence Dean Wiggins, Jr. of Rising Sun, MD, Stephen David Wiggins of North East, MD, Mary Diane Wiggins of Singapore, Christine Dawn Auslander and her husband Bill of Herndon, VA, and Mark Daniel Wiggins and his wife Sandy of Mena, AR; his brother Joseph Wiggins of Rising Sun, MD; 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Mr. Wiggins was predeceased by sisters Eleanor and Hazel, and brothers Ellis, James, Harold, and Richard.

He will be lovingly remembered for his wit, charm, kindness, loyalty, honesty, and integrity.

Visitation with the family will be Friday, January 24, 2014 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main Street, North East, MD, however, if you  just wish to pay your respects to Mr. Wiggins, you may stop by Friday between 2 pm and 5 pm.

Funeral services, conducted by Pastor Barb Doan, Reverend Hal E. Owens, and Pastor Barry Hidey, will be held Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 11:00 am at Zion United Methodist Church 94 Old Zion Road, North East, MD.  Please arrive between 10:00am and 11:00am.

Interment will follow at Rosebank Cemetery, Rising Sun, MD, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:
      Wounded Warrior Project – https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org
     Alzheimer’s Foundation - http://www.alzfdn.org/

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