Wayne V. Higgins, age 79, of Fulton,IL passed away on Tuesday January 21st at Genesis East Hospital in Davenport, IA. Following Wayne’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. A visitation for family and friends will take place on Friday January 31st at Pape Funeral Home in Clinton, IA, from 4:00-6:00 PM with the Rosary to follow. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday February 1st at Immaculate Conception Church in Fulton, IL at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow the mass at Calvary Cemetery in Fulton. A luncheon for family and friends will follow at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com

Wayne was born on November 28th, 1945 in Clinton, IA. He was the son of Keith and Ellen (Dolan) Higgins. Wayne was raised in Albany, IL, but chose to attend St. Mary’s High School in Clinton, IA. He was active in sports, clubs, and many activities, as well as being his class president and the student body president. It was during high school that he met the love of his life, Linda Krogman. He married Linda on June 15th 1963 in St. Louis, MO.

Wayne worked several different jobs early in their marriage, and finally settled into a position at Clinton Corn Processing Co. / Archer, Daniels, and Midland. He worked diligently in the traffic department there for 30 years.

Wayne and Linda were committed and consistent members of both Saint Patrick’s Parish, Albany, IL and Immaculate Conception Parish, Fulton, IL. Wayne was an avid sports enthusiast with a passion for the Fighting Illini, the Notre Dame Irish, and the Chicago White Sox. He was often seen proudly wearing the colors of his favorite teams. Wayne was also active in attending as many of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities as possible. He loved to travel with Linda and saw many locations that were on his bucket list including Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN, thus becoming a Volunteer [and Payton Manning] fan. He often shared numerous stories of all the sites and adventures he and Linda shared together. Wayne enjoyed spending time at family gatherings where he had many memorable smiles and laughs with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also blessed to be part of a monthly classmates luncheon, reminiscing with them and making more wonderful memories. It meant so much to Wayne making the joyous effort to have special times with both family and friends.

Wayne is survived by 7 children; Matthew (Erin) Higgins of Lebanon, OH, Richard Higgins of Fulton, IL, Maxine (Chris) Wayne of Fulton, IL, Rita (Chris) Gruhn of Clinton, IA, Ann (Steve) Barr of Clinton, IA, Andrew Higgins of Davenport, IA, and Jude Higgins (Melissa Bousman) of Albany, IL, 8 grandchildren; Brianna and Ryan Higgins, Margaret Higgins, Kyle(Tabitha) Wayne, Katherine Wayne(Billy Kampas), Jordan and Audry Gruhn, and Lilly Jess, 4 great grandchildren; Mariah, Mia Bella and Maleigha Kampas, and Opal Wayne, his brother Tom (Sandy) Higgins of Thomson, IL, sister-in-law Beth(Ronald) Krogman of Clinton, IA, brother-in-law Richard (Joyce) Krogman of Clinton, IA, a very special cousin Jan Higgins Bebee of El Mirage, AZ, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Keith and Ellen, his wife Linda, his father and mother-in-law Edmund and Helen (Nelson) Krogman, his brother Robert [Jon] Higgins, his sister and brother-in-law Catherine [Nancy] and Donald [Tim] Ryder, brother-in-law Ronald Krogman, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mark and Judy Krogman. Memorials may be made to the family, or Immaculate Conception Church in Fulton.