Juanna Jo Bigelow

1924-2012

Juanna Jo Wigham Bigelow, 88, passed away at Mercy Medical Center, Friday morning, October 5, 2012.

A celebration of her life will be hosted by her husband of 70 years, Col. Edgar D. Bigelow, USAF Ret. and her three children, Jimmy Karl Bigelow, Teresa Jane Telles, and David Hugh Bigelow, on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 10:00 am at the Stratford Evans Chapel-1490 B Street, Merced, CA. A reception will follow at the family home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Lila Wigham, and her brothers Bill and Biddy Wigham of Amarillo, TX. In addition to the immediate family, Jo is survived by seven grandchildren and three great granddaughters, Sophie and Skylar Dettling and Scarlett Bigelow. Her grandchildren graduated from local high schools- Merced H.S. (James Byerly and Lisa Byerly Dettling); Buhach Colony H.S. (David Bigelow Jr. and Shara Ann Bigelow); and Angels Camp H.S. (Katy Bigelow, Tasha Standridge, and Micah Bigelow).

Juanna Jo was born June 12, 1924 in Panhandle, TX, to the late Jack Hugh Wigham and Lila (Terry) Wigham, a well known farming family from the area. She grew up in Panhandle, graduated from Panhandle H.S. and also Holmes Business College in Amarillo. She was married on March 3, 1943 at Walla Walla, Washington Army Air Base Chapel, prior to her husband departing to serve during WWII. Together they traveled nationally and internationally during a thirty-year military career, that included a tour of duty at Castle AFB in Atwater, CA. During that time, Jo was active in the Merced Women’s Club teaching duplicate bridge to many local residents and she attained the distinction of Life Master.

Jo devoted many years to a prominent Real Estate career. She became a real estate Broker and custom home builder south of Washington, D.C. metro-being honored as the No.1 Builder in the area for ten years. As a pioneer in the residential and commercial construction and land development industry, she was one of the first female builders of her time. She won numerous design and construction awards from nationally known home manufacturers and developed one of the premiere Boise-Cascade planned communities in the area, which consisted of over 4,000 forested lots and 10,000 acres of lakes and golf recreation amenities. When the family returned to Merced in 1978, she was the Property and Sales Manager for Steve and Warren Wainwright (S&W Realty) for ten years; helping many local couples to buy their first home.

In retirement, Jo especially enjoyed traveling to professional tennis matches with her husband and grandchildren-cheering Jimmy Connors on every chance she got. For a time Jo and Ed settled in Arizona and the Monterey Bay area, but happily returned to Merced to be closer to family, especially grandchildren. Many people will remember her smiling face as she worked with her son David at his local business.

Jo will be forever remembered for her direct, but helpful advice and her generous loving nature. She was very patriotic and a principled American. Her love and support was enduring and a strong foundation for her family.

We entrust your soul, dear wife, mother and grandmother, to the eternal love of our Father and Lord in heaven and to his Son, Jesus Christ.

Condolences or words of sympathy may be sent to the Edgar D. Bigelow family c/o Mail Boxes West 23 West Alexander Avenue, Merced, California 95348.

Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.