John Higgins Sr.
August 24, 1927 — April 20, 2017
John M. Higgins Sr., 89, of Eldridge, died Thursday, April 20, 2017 after a brief stay at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf on the date of his 70th anniversary with his beloved wife, Sally.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in Mt. Joy Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Edward W. Knapper VFW Post 6174 and the American Legion Carl Jacobsen Post 639. Memorials may be made to the Edward W. Knapper VFW Post 6174, the American Legion Carl Jacobsen Post 639 or to Faith Lutheran Church.
John was born August 24, 1927 in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of William H. & Hedwig H. (Brizzi) Higgins. He joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 and served on the USS Iowa during World War II. He was united in marriage to Sarah J. Stonerock on April 20, 1947 in Clarence, Iowa and together they had six children. John and Sarah operated a dairy farm in Lowden from 1954 to 1965 and moved to Eldridge thereafter. Sarah preceded him in death on July 11, 1999.
John has served the community as a member of many organizations, such as the Eldridge Planning & Zoning Committee, the VFW and American Legion Posts and he was an enthusiastic weather spotter for local news. An avid fisherman, archeologist, photographer, and good friend to his neighbors, what John loved the most was spending time with his family. Over the years, John, Sally, and their children made many happy memories camping and exploring nature.
Those left to honor John’s memory include his daughters, Jollie (Dan) Holden and Diana Gross; his sons, John Jr. (Nancy) Higgins, Chuck (Karla) Higgins, Steve (Sally) Higgins and Dan (Karen) Higgins; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Sarah, John was preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Heather Higgins; three brothers; and a special friend, Juanita Ferris.