Lawrence L. Higgins

Lawrence (Swede) Higgins enjoyed spending time in his yard and with his family.  He passed away calmly and peacefully knowing the love of his family, on April 20, 2018 after a brief illness.  Swede was a long-time resident of Highland who spoke with anyone about any topic as they would stop by the house.  He was a proud graduate of East Chicago Roosevelt in 1944, where he was a key part of their football team’s defensive line.  On any day during football season you could find him watching the game and of course helping to coach from the side lines.  He was preceded in death by the love of his life of 62 years, Irene Higgins.  He is survived by his four daughters: Laurie Czapla of Hammond, IN; Sue (James) Cline of Westerville, OH, Jean (James) Haugh of Lowell, IN; and Barb (Bill) Vargo of Highland, IN. Swede was blessed with 9 grandchildren:  Jonathan, Patrick, Christopher, Samantha, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Makenzie, Matthew and Samuel; and one great grandson, Landen.  He has multiple nieces and nephews who he always loved to hear from.  Swede’s favorite things included his love of photography, trains, puttering in the yard and of course football.  He served his country proudly in WWII seeing action in the South Pacific at the Battle of Okinawa.  After the war, he returned to his beloved Marktown, where we went on a blind date with Irene and the rest was history.  He loved to travel and watch his grandchildren grow up.  Swede made many friends with his Meals on Wheels drivers and was the last stop so they could stay a bit to chat. Friends and family may visit with the family Wednesday April 25 from 3pm to 7pm at Hillside Funeral Home, 8941 Kleinman Road, Highland, IN (one block south of Ridge Rd.) Funeral services will be held on April 26 at 10:00 AM with Pastor Tom Shanahan officiating.   Burial will immediately follow at Chapel Lawn Cemetery in Crown Point.  Donations on Swede’s behalf can be made to Meals on Wheels and Honor Flight Chicago.  Both organizations were near and dear to him.  May he rest in Peace. 

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