Mary Higgerson

Mary Fae Higgerson, age 93, of West Frankfort, Illinois passed away at 12:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at her residence. She was born on August 21, 1917 to Charles and Fae (Bennyhoff) Durst in West Frankfort. She married Ralph Higgerson, November 23, 1939. He preceded her in death on August 11, 1985. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; FCHS Class of 1934; University of Illinois Graduate and 75 year member of Phi mu sorority. She had a High School teachers certificate but at the time female teachers were not allowed to marry. So, she chose marriage and family and helping with the bookeeping of the family business “The West Frankfort Ice Company.� She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of West Frankfort where she was active in the choir until her health failed. Mary Fae had been a member of the WF woman’s club and had given her time to the march of dimes, salvation army, girl scouts, and other charitable causes. she enjoyed her family, travel, and horticulture. She had a green thumb. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph Higgerson; son, Charles Higgerson. She is survived by one son, Richard and Mary Lou Higgerson of North Ridgeville, OH; one daughter, Ruth Ann and Thomas Rabideau of Pittsburg; three grandchildren: Kendra Higgerson, Shawn and Jenny Rabideau, and Amanda Rabideau; great grandchild, George Edward Cook; close in heart cousin who was like a sister, Betty Evans of Sarasota, FL. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort, Illinois with Pastor Paul Brown officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2011 at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort, Illinois. Online Condolences of Sympathy may be made at www.unionfh.com.