Darrell M. "Mike" Waggoner

Darrell Michel “Mike” Waggoner was born January 25, 1955 in Toledo, OH to Phyllis and Darrell Waggoner. He died July 18, 2023 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo, OH after a brief illness.

Mike attended Woodward High School, where he was part of the Thespian Society and the Marching Band, fostering his love of music and musical theatre. Following high school, Mike entered the U.S. Coast Guard, where he spent four formidable years stationed in Guam as well as Portland, ME. The ship he was stationed on, now an artificial reef off the coast of the Florida Keys, was the USCGC Duane WHEC33. Mike was a proud veteran who held those years as a young military man close to his heart. Mike then went on to become a Registered Nurse. He later pivoted careers to education, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo in middle school education with a focus on urban education. Eventually he shifted again to combine his two interests, teaching and medicine, by working with adult students in LPN programs in the Northwest Ohio area.

Those who knew Mike know his true calling in life: being Santa Claus. Mike was part of the Buckeye Santa Association and for many years worked Santa gigs in Northwest Ohio, including multiple town Christmas parades. He loved bringing smiles to kids and adults alike, and his daughter Abby even played a part as his elf assistant. His children remember fondly that Mike loved animals, history, ghost stories and road trips. He found any excuse to take his children out on the water, checking out historical lighthouses, going fishing, and simply enjoying the view.

Mike’s booming laugh was always contagious. He was caring, sensitive, and sentimental. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren fiercely and unequivocally. He will be missed dearly, and the Christmas season, especially, will never be the same without him.

Preceding Mike in death are his parents Phyllis and Darrell; siblings Judi, Phil and Kenny, and grandchild Jackson. Surviving him in death are his siblings Sharon (Colleen) Waggoner, Ray (Sharon) Waggoner, David (Judy) Waggoner, and Laura (Mel) Hart; children Matt (Erin) Waggoner, Abby (Mike) Mayhugh, and Katie Waggoner; stepchildren Andrea (Jim) Hoppenjans, Andrew Krukowski and Aaron Krukowski; grandchildren Kieren, Aislyn, Mackenzi, Jaden, Harley, Dale, Charlie, Ella, Claire, Marcus and James. He is also survived in death by his wife of twenty years, Lisa Waggoner. Lisa’s care and devotion throughout the years bolstered Mike through multiple illnesses and life trials. Mike, we will miss you every day.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 310 Elizabeth St., Maumee, OH 43537, at 2PM Saturday, July 29th. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to K9s for Warriors, a service that combines his love of animals and support for his fellow veterans: https://k9sforwarriors.org/.