Shannon Wigfield: Beloved teacher killed in Ohio I-70 crash made 'students feel special about themselves'
NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO: Shannon Wigfield, 45, was identified as one of the victims killed in the horrifying I-70 bus crash in Licking County, Ohio, on Tuesday, November 14.
Wigfield served as a teacher at Buckeye Career Center for 24 years and was reportedly present on the bus as a parent of a sophomore student, Fox 8 reported.
The bus carrying students and chaperones from the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District was headed to the Ohio School Board Association Capital Conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
As per the Associated Press, a total of five vehicles were involved in the crash that left six people dead and at least 18 injured.
Other people killed in the crash were teenagers John W Mosely, 18, Jeffery D Worrell, 18, Katelyn N Owens, 15, as well as passengers Dave Kennat, 56, and Kristy Gaynor, 39.
Who was Shannon Wigfield?
Wigfield, an English teacher at Buckeye Career Center for the past 24 years, was a loving wife and a proud mother-of-three. She born on May 10, 1977 in Dennison, to parents Ronald L and Susan Abbuhl of New Philadelphia, as per her obituary.
The educator graduated from Claymont High School in 1995 before graduating from Ohio University in 2000. She reportedly enjoyed shopping, especially at Target and Dollar General, crafting and most importantly helping other people.
Wigfield married her husband, Richard, on October 18, 2003 and had three children, namely, Riley, Evan and Leah. Richard is reportedly a firefighter and medic in Jackson Township.
"When it’s that close it just hits differently and you hear about this stuff a lot, Everybody is trying to get through it and help the Wigfield family the best we can at this point," said Damon Gallucci, President of Jackson Firefighters Local 2280.
The firefighters union reportedly came together to establish a donation fund in Wigfield’s memory in order to support Richard, and their children, including the sophomore student who survived the crash in which his mother, Wigfield, lost her life.
Bob Alsept, the superintendent of Buckeye Career Center and a Tusky Valley graduate, who was attending the Ohio School Board Association Capital Conference when the deadly bus crash happened remembered Wigfield as a "wonderful teacher."
"Just finding out that indeed she was and she lost her life it was a horrible day," Alsept said, as per Fox 8. "I never remember seeing her and thinking she was having anything but a great day because she had a smile on her face," he shared.
Alsept also mentioned that Wigfield "just carried herself enthusiastically and you know what that rubs off on students, they are drawn to that."
"A wonderful teacher, but more than what she taught, she really made them feel special about themselves, wouldn’t let them fail, could be hard on them as she needed to be but also let them know that she cared deeply about their success," he added.
The students and staff at Buckeye Career Center were encouraged to wear red to show soliradity for Tusky Valley High School on Thursday, November 16, while mourning the loss of one of their own.
"As we talk to our staff, go home, hug the people close to you because you never know. I would say that for parents and students, don’t leave it unsaid. Don’t leave without a hug because it’s just too fragile," Alsept said.
Meanwhile, Gallucci said the union is well aware of the other victims who died in the same crash that killed Wigfield and are encouraging everyone to support all six families of the victims through any other fundraisers.
When and where will Shannon Wigfield's funeral take place?
According to her obituary, Wigfield's funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 11:00 am at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia and officiated by Pastor Carol McCartney.
Her burial will follow in Ft Laurens Cemetery in Bolivar and the arrangements will be handled by the Lebold-Smith Funeral Home.
Wigfield's family has suggested to make donations to the donors favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
The English teacher is survived by her parents, Ronald L and Susan, her husband Richard, their three children and in-laws Richard and Reccine.
She also left behind her grandmother Karleen Wilson, brother Craig (Heidi) Abbuhl, a sister-in-law, sister Lisa (Jim) Heuser, brother-in-law Christopher (Richelle) Woytko, nieces and nephews Hunter Abbuhl, C.J. Abbuhl, Ashleigh Heuser, Lexi Heuser, Ryan Woytko, Kyle Woytko and Avery Woytko, among other extended family members and friends.