John A. Higgins Ii

John A. Higgins II, age 86 of Ypsilanti, passed away March 18, 2019. He was born on January 16, 1933 in Grand Rapids, Michigan; son of John and Marjorie (nee Daniels) Higgins. He proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1955 until 1968. John traveled all over the world with the Air Force. He was a navigator on an RB-66 and C-130 and a missile commander.

John was united in marriage to Kathleen M. Halpen on April 8, 1961. They were devoted to each other for over 57 years. He was a Sales Manager with Detroit Diesel Allison, a division of General Motors, retiring in the late 1980’s.  He has lived in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Hamburg, MI and Northville, MI. While living in Northville, he was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church; serving on both the Parish Council and the PTO. John was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus; earning the highest honor of 4 ^th Degree Knight. John enjoyed golfing, watching UofM football, going to bible study and boating. He also liked travelling all over the world; among his favorite places to visit were Ireland, Grand Caymans, the Holy Land and the Mediterranean. He was a very patient, gentle and soft-spoken man and had a dry sense of humor.

John is survived by his wife Kathleen; his children, John (Linda) Higgins III, Lora (John) Rodriguez, Leah Higgins, Jeff (Barb) Higgins, and Lynn Higgins; his brother Paul (Mary) Higgins, and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers James Higgins and Phillip Higgins.

A funeral mass will be held Monday, March 25, 2019 at 10:30am with visitation beginning at 10am at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard, Northville. He will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery where they will render military honors.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Disabled Veterans of America , PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250.