Richard David “Rich” Higgins Jr., 74, of Tonica, passed away late Monday afternoon at his home surrounded by his family after a brave battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday in the Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7:00 PM Thursday in the funeral home and Friday from 10:00 AM until time of services.
Rich was born in Ryburn-King Hospital(torn down in 1974) in Ottawa on April 7, 1940, the oldest of four sons of the late Richard David and Leota Alice (Guyaux) Higgins Sr. He attended Ottawa and Troy Grove grade schools, Mendota High School and Illinois State University.
Rich was a proud father and shared his son’s passion for music, local bands, musicians and unforgettable characters. He enjoy mornings with his breakfast club in Peru, his collection of tractors, guns, antique toys, old country music and blue grass and had a passion for dancing with his wife, fondness of spaghetti westerns and classic movies. He cherished the endless memories of Troy Grove, both, childhood and later on his farm. He fondly reminisced about good friends, good drinks and good times at the local pubs and taverns.
Rich was a long time member and supporter on the Tonica Volunteer Fire Department. Many years serving as Mendota and Tonica School board President and Village of Tonica Board Trustee. Rich (the Squirrel Whisperer) communicated with the local squirrels, fed them corn and peanuts and tracked their comings and goings. Tremendous heartfell thanks go out to his compassionate and exceptional home health and hospice nurses, Angie and Amber, who provided much more than just comfort and care for Rich, but also provided a sense of humor, peace and reassurance during his transition from this life into the next.
He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by many friends, neighbors and close acquaintances.
Rich is survived by his wife Kimberly London Higgins of Tonica (native of New York); children Richard Michael “Mike” (Heather) Higgins of Jonesville and Timothy (Cathy) Higgins of Tonica; grandchildren Andrea (Steve) Higgins Craig of Ottawa, Jess Higgins and Hannah Higgins of Jonesville; great-grandchildren Lilly Craig and Lucas Craig of Ottawa; several nieces and nephews; three brothers Bob (Carolyn) Higgins of Oswego, Brian (Cathy) Higgins of Canon Beach, OR, and Doug (Julie) of Paxton; sister-in-laws Sharon (Dave) Nagel of Tonica, Kitten (Gary) Morris of Hamburg, NY, Jacqlyn (Michael) Pelnero of Lake View, NY; mother-in-law Betty Jean London of Hamburg, NY; best friends Linda and Jim Lock.
Pallbearers will be Jim Lock, Joe Ott, Brian Lock, Steve Craig, Randy and Jess Higgins.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family to establish a memorial in Rich’s name.
Rich is laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.