Joseph L. "Joe" Higgins

Joseph "Joe" L. Higgins, 90, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Joplin, Missouri. He was born on October 16, 1934, in Jericho Springs, Missouri, to Glen and Nellie (Rector) Higgins. Joe graduated high school in Lockwood, Missouri and attended one semester at the University of Missouri in Columbia. He worked as a union journeyman carpenter, real estate agent, and entrepreneur. Joe owned and operated the Best Western Heidelberg Inn from the late 1980's through the late 1990's in Concordia, Missouri. Joe taught fourth grade Sunday School and was active for years at the Blue Ridge Baptist Temple in south Kansas City, Missouri. He was most recently a member of Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin, Missouri. He had a collection of vintage John Deer tractors that he enjoyed tinkering on. He regularly displayed some of his tractors during the Carthage Maple Leaf Festival and in the Maple Leaf Parade. Joe also loved the outdoors; hunting and fishing when he could. Joe was united in marriage to Sandra Helverson on April 2, 1955, in Carthage, Missouri; she survives. Joe is survived by his wife of seventy years, Sandra; son, Kent Higgins and wife, Teri, of Lenexa, Kansas; daughter, JoEllen Payne of Overland Park, Kansas; three grandchildren, Christine Elizabeth Payne, Alexander Grant Payne, and Katherine Gage Higgins; one brother, Bill Higgins; and three sisters, Gladys Percy, Pansy Hickman, and Patsy Shields. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Nellie Higgins and a brother, Calvin Higgins. A service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Burial will be at Greenfield Cemetery, 3225 E. 2200 Rd., Jericho Springs, Missouri (one mile north of County Line Rd.). Contributions may be made to the charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.