Jesse W Higbee

Jesse W. Higbee, age 96, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at 1:20 am at OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth on September 19, 2012. He was born on November 19, 1915 in Kirkwood, Illinois and is the son of Virgil and Edith Van Cleave Higbee. Jesse was raised in Kirkwood where he attended school and graduated from Kirkwood High School with the class of 1934. Jesse enter the Army and served in the Artillery attaining the rank of Sergeant during World War II. He served in many major battles including D-Day in North Africa, and D-Day in Italy. He married Edith Pratt on March 7, 1946 in Berwick at the Baptist Church. She preceded him on May 13, 2007. He was a grain and livestock farmer in both Henderson and Warren County. And formerly was a member of the Farm Bureau. Jesse also was a member and Elder of the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church in Biggsville, IL where he also served as a Trustee and Deacon. Jesse in prior years was a involved with 4-H and was a leader. He is a member of the Marion B. Fletcher Post 136 American Legion. Jesse most loved his family, fishing, gardening and woodworking. Surviving are his two sons David P. Higbee in Menominee, MI and Steven (Joan) Higbee in Sarasota, FL. Also surviving is his Daughter in Law, Susan Higbee (James, dec'd) of Monmouth, IL. There are three grandchildren Brian (Emily ) Higbee of Monmouth, IL, Tammee (Karl) Petersen of Beardstown, IL, and Ian (Sheila) Higbee of Galesburg, IL.and step grandson Jacob Glasnovich, of Sara Sota, FL. Five great grandchildren survive Wyatt Petersen, and Madylynn, Kenneth, Raegan, and Lauren Higbee. One brother Charles "Reke"(Betty) Higbee of Clinton, IA and one sister Ann (John) Benoit of San Luis Obispo, CA are surviving. Also surviving are his brother in law Duane (Louise) Pratt and Berwick,IL and Sister in Law Irma Jean White of Knoxville, IL. There are numerous nieces and nephews surviving. Preceding Jesse in death are his parents, his wife, one son James, two sisters Grace Hall and Betty McGee, and three brothers John, Larry, and Dick Higbee. Services:A funeral service will be at 10:00 am at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth on Monday September 24, 2012. His family plans visitation on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Turnbulls with the family present to receive friends. Interment will be in the Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery. A memorial Fund is being established for the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church.