Robert Wigent

Robert George Wigent (Bob), age 91, was born on September 14, 1934, and passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, he leaves behind a legacy of caring and originality.

Bob was united in marriage to Carol G Martin on March 15, 2003, and moved to Battle Creek. Sundays would usually find Bob and Carol at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church where they had many friends. He valued their relationships with other couples and spent time socializing with them.

Bob was born in Jackson Michigan; He attended East Jackson High School and retired from Kelsey-Hayes Company in 1984 at the age of fifty. He invested in rental properties, and he became a beloved landlord. He supported and cared for his tenants, and he remained in touch with many of them throughout his life. Bob enjoyed traveling in his RV, WWII history, and time spent with his children notably Thursday night family nights. He especially enjoyed his relationship, and time spent with his seven grandchildren who dubbed him “super grandpa.” He liked carpentry, woodworking, gardening as well as board and card games. He enjoyed watching old movies and listening to country music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, He loved desserts, especially ice cream.

Bob frequently stated there is one song that epitomized his life: “Someone Is Looking for Someone Like You” by Gayle Davies.

Bob is survived by his wife Carol Wigent, and his children: Rodney (Julia) Wigent, Robert (Cindy) Wigent II, and Debra (Vince) Abbey, and David Wigent. His grandchildren, Tim (Lisa) Jarrett, Tia (David) Abbey, Michael (Olivia) Jarrett, Tami Abbey, Amber (Jon) Kraft, Robert (Donna) Wigent III, and Stacey (Pete) Wigent. He was also a cherished great-grandfather to Abigail Jarrett, Sawyer Abbey, and Lucy Jarrett.

The relationships he created extended further to his stepchildren Kim (Pat) Ingalls and Cyndi (Jack) Minear, along with step-grandchildren Karissa Ingalls, Ryan Ingalls, Daniel Minear, Jacob Minear, Caleb (Jillian) Minear, and step-great-granddaughters Sidney Braown, Keely Ingalls, Josie Keys, and Tristan Tamsec.

Bob was preceded in death by his former wife Margaret (Schulz) Wigent, his daughter Sandra Wigent, parents George and Thelma Wigent, his sister Maxine (Don) Avery, son-in-law Garry Abbey, and daughter-in-law April (Shelly) Wigent.