James “Jim” William Higgins, 85, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 9:30 am November 12, 2020 at his home. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army and worked as a coal miner for Inland Steel. He was an outdoorsman and a true patriot. More than anything, he loved his family. Jim is dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew him.
A Visitation will be held Monday, November 16, 2020 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. A Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 pm at the cemetery with Reverend Stacy Tate officiating. Interment will follow. Members of the Mount Vernon American Legion Post #141 will conduct Full Military Honors at the cemetery. Memorials may be made in Jim’s honor to SSM Hospice. Please remember to observe social distancing at this time. We are limited to 10 people in our building at a time. Following the CDC and NFDA regulations, we encourage everyone to wear a mask. They will be made available, upon request. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
In addition to his beloved wife of sixty-three years, Jim is survived by his three sons, Chris Higgins of Opdyke, Raymond Higgins of Mount Vernon, and James E. Higgins and wife, Vikki of Decatur; four grandchildren, Keisha Higgins, Jimmy Higgins and wife, Jordan, Steven Higgins and wife, Sarah, and Nathan Higgins and wife, Angie; brother, Bill Higgins and wife Jane of Moweaqua; sister, Edna Beal of Lockport, Illinois; seven great-gandchildren, Gracie Higgins, Jaylee Higgins, Tyson Higgins, Tora Higgins, Katelyn Higgins, Wesley Higgins, and Violet Higgins; and several nieces and nephews.
He was born June 27, 1935 in Bluford to the late James W. and Dorothy F. (Hayes) Higgins. Jim married Barbara Joan (Fleckenstein) Higgins on June 16, 1957 in Mount Vernon, Illinois and she survives in Mount Vernon.
