Joseph E. Higgins

Joseph E. Higgins Joseph E. Higgins, age 78, a resident of Gallatin, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2011, at Daviess County Nursing and Rehab Center, Gallatin, Missouri. Joseph was born the son of Joseph W. and Charlotte B. (Anderson) Higgins on April 3, 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was a 1950 graduate of Grandview High School. He was united in marriage to Shirley Smith on June 1, 1989 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Joseph worked as a Tool & Dye Machinist for CPC International from 1957-1986. He then was self-employed operating Higgins Construction AC Heating and Cooling from 1986-1993. Joseph served in the United States Navy Reserves. He was a member of the Lake Viking Church, Moila Shrine in St. Joseph, former Cub Master of Pack 314, and former Scout Master of Troop 314 and 370, leader of the Boy Scout Explorer Post 370, and the Heart of America District Round Table. Joseph was also a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say at H. Roe Bartle in Osceola, Missouri, and received the Wood Badge and the Silver Beaver Award. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and woodworking. Survivors include his wife Shirley of the home; three sons, Joseph E. Higgins III of Morris, Oklahoma, Chris Ketcham of Lake Viking, Missouri, Brad Ketcham and wife Denise of Wichita, Kansas; two daughters, Mary K. Duncan and husband Mike of Arrow Rock, Missouri, Robin Jones and husband Steve of Montevideo, Minnesota; one brother, Michael Higgins and wife Wanda of North Carolina; one sister, Charlotte McCord of Kansas City, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Eric Duncan of Kansas City, Missouri, Michelle Campbell of Liberty, Missouri, Zachary Jones, Jeremy Jones, and Daniel Jones of Montevideo, Minnesota, Barry Ketcham, and Cassie Ketcham of Wichita, Kansas; two great grandchildren, Chloe Campbell and Alaina Campbell of Liberty, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri, on Thursday, December 22, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. A Masonic Service will be held at Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. with a family visitation to follow from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friends may call the funeral home on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held at the McBee Chapel Cemetery, Braymer, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph E. Higgins Memorial Fund and may be left at or mailed to Pitts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri, 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri.