Melvin R. Higgs, age 93 of Effingham, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Heartland Christian Village in Neoga.
Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Arborcrest Memorial Park in Effingham with Pastor Jim Whitacre officiating. Memorial donations may be given to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
Melvin was born March 1, 1924 in Mahomet, the son of Jesse and Birdie (Smith) Higgs. He married Mary E. Sieben on April 26, 1947 in Hagerstown. Melvin was a farmer, master woodworker and was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Melvin was also a member of the Illinois Sheriffs Association and volunteered at 'The Cross at the Crossroads' and the Ballard Nature Center.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Mary of Effingham; daughter, Patricia Ann McCallister of Bloomington; brother, Levitte (Edie) of rural Altamont; sisters, Wanda Phillips of Altamont, Pauline Vail of Altamont and Hilda Mae Schumacher of Effingham; granddaughters, Ingrid (Ted) Minger of Tuscola and Megan (John) Klemm of Waynesville; great-grandchildren, Bronwyn and Brayson Minger and Blaine, Calla and Quentin Klemm.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Christine Wilcox and Jesse Lou Hooks.