Shirrel Francis Huggins, 88, Passes Away in West Virginia

Longtime Wellsburg resident was an avid gardener and member of the Wellsburg Christian Church.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Shirrel Francis Huggins, an 88-year-old resident of Wellsburg, West Virginia, passed away on January 25, 2026 at Wheeling Hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia. Huggins was born in Wileyville, West Virginia in 1937 and was a member of the Army Reserves, retired from Wheeling Nisshin and Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, and was an active gardener who enjoyed hunting trips to his cabin.

Why it matters

Huggins' passing marks the loss of a longtime member of the Wellsburg community, where he lived for decades and was involved in the local church and other activities. His life story reflects the experiences of many residents in the region who worked in the steel industry and maintained hobbies like gardening and hunting.

The details

Huggins was preceded in death by his wife Helen Klovanish Huggins, who passed away in 2015, as well as his brother Percy Huggins, Sr. and sister Delores Huggins McGrath. He is survived by his son Rodney Huggins, daughter Cheryl Huggins, and sisters Janet Noel and Loretta Basil, all of whom live in the Wellsburg area.

Huggins passed away on January 25, 2026.
Visitation was held on February 2, 2026, and the funeral service was on February 3, 2026.

The players