The man whose body was found yesterday after being missing for five days was remembered as a devoted family man.

Daniel Eugene Wiggins, 57, died in one-vehicle accident in Coffee County, several miles north of Elba, apparently on Friday night. He was last seen leaving work in Troy Friday.

Wiggins’ stepson, Jed Blackwell, wrote on social media, “I cannot express in words how appreciative and thankful I’ve been to have him in mine and my mother’s lives. God has gained an angel. A man with a big heart and always no matter what the circumstance put me and my mother first.

“His grandchildren, Connor and Caroline, look up to and admire him immensely,” Blackwell wrote. “They were the apple of Dan’s eye.”

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Fri., Oct. 21, 2016, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Greg Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Foreman Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife, Jan Wiggins of Andalusia; a step son and daughter-in-law, Jed and Heather Blackwell; his parents, Henry and Jeanette Wiggins; and his nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Wiggins.

 

Wiggins was the son o Henry and Jeanette Wiggins, and the husband of Jan Wiggins.

Covington County Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Wesley Snodgrass said law enforcement officials were notified Wednesday that a vehicle matching the description and tag number last driven by Wiggins was involved in a traffic crash.

Snodgrass said that Sheriff Dennis Meeks went to the scene of the traffic crash and met with Coffee County deputies and ALEA troopers.

Alabama State Trooper Spokesperson Kevin Cook said Wednesday night the preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle left the roadway, traveled into a stream and struck a bridge embankment.  The crash occurred on Coffee County 349 seven miles northwest of Elba.

“The Covington County Sheriff’s Office wishes to express its condolences to Dan’s family, friends and co-workers,” Snodgrass said. “Covington County Sheriff Dennis Meeks and the sheriff’s office appreciate the assistance of the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, the Covington County District Attorney’s Office, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, ALEA state troopers and all members of the media and public who helped get the message out to help find Mr. Wiggins.”