Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Melvin Higgins, age 88, resident of Richards, Mo., died Friday, May 19, 2017, at the Moore-Few Care Center, Nevada, Mo.

He was born March 2, 1929, in Richards, Mo., the son of Charley and Jennie Tucker Higgins. He graduated from Richards High School with the class of 1948. He married Sandra Joan Cameron on December 11, 1957, in Girard, Kans. She preceded him in death on January 10, 2011. He served our country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Melvin worked for the Missouri State Highway Department for 33 years, retiring in 1992. He enjoyed fishing, raising chickens and turkeys, watching football on television, and attending dirt track races and tractor pulls. He spent most every Saturday at the Sale Barn. He was a past member of the American Legion in Arma, Kans. He was a very hard working and devoted family man who loved spending time with his grandchildren. Melvin could often be seen driving his riding lawn mower around Richards. He accepted Jesus two weeks before his passing.

Survivors include a grandson, Earl Higgins and wife Kari; two step-grandchildren, Rebecca Stinnett and James Stinnett and wife Lisa; a great grandson, Lukas; 11 step great grandchildren, Alexandra, Nathaniel, Syllvin, Jaylee, Ray Ray, Heather, Jacob, Chloe, Toni, Dalton, and Braden; a daughter-in- law, Joy Higgins; long-time family friend, Mary Jones; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, Melvin was preceded in death by a brother, Clyde Higgins; seven sisters, Jennie Bell Burch, Gladys Goddard, Lenora Higgins, Arlene Winship, Thelma Wolfe, Ida Lee Daniels, and an infant; two sons, Ed Higgins and an infant; and an infant daughter, Venita Lenora Higgins.

Nephew Ed Tyler will conduct funeral services at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott. Military Honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:30 until 11:30 AM. Memorials are suggested to the Richards Park Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.