Irene Higgins

Irene Higgins, age 76, of Wheeling, Missouri, passed away Thursday, August 12, 2010 peacefully at her home surrounded by her family. She was born September 1, 1933, the daughter of Delbert Halsey and Della Gertrude (Transue) Stevenson near Eversonville, Missouri. She attended White Cloud School through the 8th grade and graduated from Wheeling High School in 1951. She attended CBC and graduated from Chillicothe Business College in 1952. On February 22, 1953, she married Robert Lee Higgins. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003. Irene was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed attending Wheeling Baptist Church. She and her husband, Bob, farmed and raised livestock and had a Sweet Lassy Feed dealership at their home north of Meadville, Missouri. They purchased the Laclede Elevator in 1973 and built the Wheeling Elevator in 1984. They operated a grain storage elevator for thirty years. Survivors include three daughters, Debby Higgins of Chillicothe, Missouri, Pam Quick and husband Paul of Wheeling, Missouri, and Trisha Wilburn and husband Bobby of Meadville, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Kelsey Lee and husband Mac of Cameron Missouri, Jayme Voss and husband John of Savannah, Missouri, Emily Neal of St. Joseph, Missouri, Lauren Quick of Sedalia, Missouri, Jason Quick of Maryville, Missouri, Angela Quick of Wheeling, Missouri, Megan Sensenich and husband Sean of Chillicothe, Missouri, and Kenny Wilburn of Chillicothe, Missouri. She also had one great-grandson, Mason Henry Voss born February 11, 2010. Other survivors include her sister, Margaret Howe and family of the Chillicothe area; sister-in-law, Charlotte Robbins and family of Gladstone, Missouri; and many close cousins and friends of the surrounding community. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob on May 1, 2005, her parents and grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, and a brother-in-law. Irene enjoyed her family, friends, and grandchildren and was a friend to all. Irene was a leader with the Junior bees 4-H Club, Sunday school teacher, Bible School teacher, and a forty year member of Eastern Star. She enjoyed being active in her community, followed the "golden rule" and was a devoted Meadville Eagle basketball fan. Services will be held on Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri. There will be a family visitation on Saturday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Lindley Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Wheeling Cemetery in Wheeling, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Livingston County Library and left at the funeral home or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Friends and family may call on Saturday from noon until 9:00 p.m. the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.