Obituary for Raymond P. "Ray" Higgins
Raymond P. “Ray” Higgins, age 78, of Trenton, formerly of Keyesport and Carlyle, died at 5:55 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 2021. He was surrounded by his family and passed away peacefully at home.
He was born February 26, 1943,in Carlyle, the son of the late Elmer and Lorraine (Sommers) Higgins. He married Dorothy M. Lappe on October 26,1963,and she survives.
Besides his wife, Ray is survived by four children: Lisa (Tony) Staudenmaier of Aviston, Jeffrey (Annette) Higgins of Highland, Kelli Higgins of Trenton, and Kent Higgins of Maryville; six grandchildren: Jacob (Bethany Baty) Staudenmaier, Nicholas (Jessica) Staudenmaier, Nathan (Zana Bone) Higgins, Tyler Higgins, Chloe Higgins, and Andrew Higgins. Ray was also honored to be an acting Grandpa to Kara Bellina-Groff. He is survived by four siblings: Violet Redman of Montgomery, Texas, Delbert (Pat Higgins) of Carlyle, Elmer Higgins of Pocahontas, and Kathy (Lee) Schaeffer of Carlyle.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Jackson, a brother-in-law, William “Bill” Redman, and a nephew, Roderick (Rod) Redman.
Ray was in the United States Army from 1961-1963 and then went on to a long career working for the United States Postal Service for 32 years. He retired as Postmaster of Keyesport in 1999. He was an active member of the Carlyle Jaycees for many years and served in a variety of leadership roles. Ray coached his children in sports ranging from basketball, softball, and baseball and enjoyed cheering his kids on from the sidelines. As much as Ray enjoyed being a part of his kid’s activities, nothing would compare to the joy he got from watching all his grandchildren grow in his retirement years.
A Celebration of Ray’s Life will be held July 10, 2021,at 11 a.m.at the American Legion in Breese, Illinois. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to BJC Hospice or the donor’s choice.
He was born February 26, 1943,in Carlyle, the son of the late Elmer and Lorraine (Sommers) Higgins. He married Dorothy M. Lappe on October 26,1963,and she survives.
Besides his wife, Ray is survived by four children: Lisa (Tony) Staudenmaier of Aviston, Jeffrey (Annette) Higgins of Highland, Kelli Higgins of Trenton, and Kent Higgins of Maryville; six grandchildren: Jacob (Bethany Baty) Staudenmaier, Nicholas (Jessica) Staudenmaier, Nathan (Zana Bone) Higgins, Tyler Higgins, Chloe Higgins, and Andrew Higgins. Ray was also honored to be an acting Grandpa to Kara Bellina-Groff. He is survived by four siblings: Violet Redman of Montgomery, Texas, Delbert (Pat Higgins) of Carlyle, Elmer Higgins of Pocahontas, and Kathy (Lee) Schaeffer of Carlyle.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Jackson, a brother-in-law, William “Bill” Redman, and a nephew, Roderick (Rod) Redman.
Ray was in the United States Army from 1961-1963 and then went on to a long career working for the United States Postal Service for 32 years. He retired as Postmaster of Keyesport in 1999. He was an active member of the Carlyle Jaycees for many years and served in a variety of leadership roles. Ray coached his children in sports ranging from basketball, softball, and baseball and enjoyed cheering his kids on from the sidelines. As much as Ray enjoyed being a part of his kid’s activities, nothing would compare to the joy he got from watching all his grandchildren grow in his retirement years.
A Celebration of Ray’s Life will be held July 10, 2021,at 11 a.m.at the American Legion in Breese, Illinois. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to BJC Hospice or the donor’s choice.