Welsey Scoggan, 16, passed away earlier this month after an ATV accident and through support of the community, his funeral expenses were paid for. (Photo Provided)

ST. MARYS — A St. Marys High School student was killed in an ATV accident earlier this month but with the support of the community, his family and friends were able to find some comfort.

When Wesley Scoggan, 16, lost his life in the accident, members of the community donated money for his funeral expenses. His mother Amy Scoggan said the amount of love and support has been overwhelming.

Wesley was a wrestler and track runner for St. Marys High School. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed fishing, camping and working on vehicles.

“If anybody would ask for help, he would go help them. He always had a smile on his face. He never talked bad about anybody,” Amy Scoggan said. “He could make you laugh. Even if he was down, he could make you laugh.”

St. Marys wrestling coach Jay D. Smith worked with Wesley since was in middle school.

Wesley Scoggan, 16, was a St. Marys High School student who passed away earlier this month after an ATV accident. The community donated money and his funeral expenses were paid for. (Photo Provided)

“He was a great kid. He had a great work ethic and because of that, he was successful. Every time he went out there, he got better and that’s what you want as a coach,” Smith said.

The funeral was Aug. 5 and with the amount of donations, enough was left over to help for a headstone.

“All of his funeral was paid for by what people had donated and by what people had just given, and that was very helpful,” Amy Scoggan said.

Wesley’s friends, teammates and peers came to the funeral to show their support for his family. Smith said the wrestling team gathered together before the funeral and a couple of alumni were there as well.

“It was pretty special. The kids came together, and they wanted to wear their warmups for the funeral (and) they were pallbearers,” Smith said.

The St. Marys wrestling team continues to honor Wesley and pay their respects.

“The support from his wrestling family is unbelievable. They want to take his shoes to every meet that he wore last year, and I think that’s pretty awesome,” Amy Scoggan said.

Tara Scoggan, Welsey’s sister, is also a wrestler and was mentored by her brother. When Welsey passed away, his teammates promised to look out for her.

“The wrestling family told her that they would look out for her as her big brother even though he wasn’t there,” Amy Scoggan said.

Smith said even though it was a terrible accident, seeing the community come together during a tragic time was something special.

“It’s an awful thing but it’s a blessing to see the family comforted,” Smith said.

Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.