Carl Alvin Higgins Sr. of Chesterton passed away Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 in Valparaiso. He was 76.

He was born Jan. 1, 1934 in Evansville, Ind. to Lee Dwayne and Wilma Leona (Hess) Higgins, who preceded him in death. On August 3, 1953 in Evansville, he married Lois Christine (Diehl) Higgins, who survives of Chesterton.

Also surviving are daughters Terry Sue (husband Mike) Post of Michigan City and Laura Jean (Brian) Gillis of Bay City, Mich.; sons Carl A. (wife Marcia) Higgins Jr. of Valparaiso and Charles (Anne) Higgins of Duluth, Ga; grandchildren Jenevieve (Dennis) Hayes, Tim (Sara) Post, Adam Carl (Erin), Kelly Lynn, Captain Charles L. (Regina) and 2nd Lt. Mark Jacob (Beth) Higgins, Michael Carl Vascil, Brian II and Nicholas Gillis; great grandchildren Korrine, Andrew and Emily Hayes, Cecilia Post, Ethan and Liam David Higgins, Kylie, Brian III, Noah, Ashley and Autumn Gillis; brothers Junior Lee of Poseyville, Ind., Donald Ray of Portage and Paul Wayne Higgins of Cynthiana, Ind.; sisters Leona Jean Brown of Griffin, Ind. and Iva Mae Dyson of Cynthiania; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his infant brother, William Harold Higgins.

Carl was a member of First Baptist Church since 1967, where he served as an usher and a member of the choir. Carl umpired many State Park Little League games. He loved supporting his children in their sports and music activities and passed on his fine work ethic to his children.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Chesterton, 1401 W. Porter Ave., Chesterton, with Pastor Larry Starett officiating. Burial will follow at Chesterton Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Child Evangelism Fellowship or to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.EE-FH.com

Posted 12/22/2010