Michael Higgins' Obituary
Michael Higgins passed away peacefully at his home on July 11, 2025, at the age of 86. Michael was born December 26, 1938, in Bayonne, N.J., to Patrick and Mary (Welcher) Higgins. He was the youngest of 12 children.
He attended Bayonne High School and joined the U.S. Navy in 1957 shortly after graduation to serve as an electrician. While stationed in San Diego, he traveled to Los Angeles on leave and met Deanna Christenson. They were married on August 6, 1960, at the Los Angeles County Courthouse. He was later transferred to Pearl Harbor Naval Station in Honolulu, Hawaii, where they welcomed their first child.
After being honorably discharged, he moved back to Bayonne before settling in West Mineral, Kan., to raise his family, subsequently welcoming two daughters. In 1962, he began working for the Pittsburg & Midway (P&M) Coal Mining Company at Mine 19 in West Mineral, Kan., during the construction of Big Brutus. He worked at Mine 19 until it closed in 1974 and then at the P&M mine in La Cygne, Kan.
In retirement, he moved to Pittsburg to be closer to his grandchildren. He had near-perfect attendance at their sporting events and was the first to volunteer to help with school projects. He will be remembered for his innovative spirit, hearty laugh, lively debates, and love of sarcasm.
Michael is survived by his wife, Deanna; son Michael P. Higgins of Osage City, Kan.; daughter Patricia E. Higgins (Mark Schmitz) of Broken Arrow, Okla.; daughter M. Kelli Moore (Graig Moore) and grandchildren Miranda and Matthew Moore of Pittsburg. He was a beloved brother to Mary Kedzerski, Agnes Panasewicz, Rita Hackler, Frances Dugan, Helen Siwek, and the late John Higgins, George Higgins, Patrick Higgins, Elizabeth Dobos, Margaret McCurnin, and Anna Kidd.
A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 28 at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Weir, Kan. Following the service, the family will receive visitors at the Weir Civic Center. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Brutus, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the mining heritage of Southeast Kansas. These may be left at or sent to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway St., Pittsburg, KS 66762.
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