On Saturday, October 29, 2022, Larry Higgins was offered a seat at the Lord’s table in heaven.
 
The Lord held out a hand and stated, “Larry it is time for you to take your seat.  Here, you will have eternal nourishment and your body will be healed, renewed, and you will live with me in my house forever.”
Larry turned to his family and asked, “Hmm. That sounds like a pretty good deal. What should I do? I don’t want to leave you.”  
We replied, “We know, and we wish that we had more time to listen to your stories, to appreciate your sarcasm, to hold you, and to reminisce and to write it all down so we can remember.”
Dad asserted, “God is good, and he gave you all a brain. You won’t forget. I hope that I have done right by you all. I am just a simple man.”  
With reassurance in our eyes, “Dad, you are a great man. You have made God proud. We will be ok. Go on, and we will see you soon. Our hearts are full, and we love you.”
Pap reached for God’s hand and turned back one more time to his family, “I love you too - always and forever. I am going to go. I will save a seat for you. I am not afraid, and I hope chicken is not on the menu.” 

Larry quietly passed away surrounded by his entire family.  This past weekend, Dad was laid to rest on a beautiful, fall morning during a private family service.  Larry was born and raised in Chambersburg, PA. After high school, he met his future wife and whisked her away to a quiet, little yellow home on a hill overlooking the Tuscarora mountain range in Saint Thomas where they would raise and guide their three daughters.  Larry worked as a maintenance man and lead maintenance man for a local factory and school.  Since his daughters were 10 years old, he coached them and a local girl’s softball team teaching them about sportsmanship and softball; he enjoyed celebrating their accomplishments (and many championships).  Upon retirement, he spent even more time being with family and his beloved dogs, watching historical programs, going to the grandkid’s baseball games, soccer games, dance recitals and all their other events, going to church, sharing family suppers, visiting historical places, and reminiscing. He was a person who honored God above all else and his family was the #1 priority.  

His wife lives on to share stories and to remind the family of the values on which they were raised.

His three daughters, Kristin, Bobbie, and Beckie, treasure the childhood and young adult years crafted by their parents and will continue the legacy that he and his wife have created over 54 years.

His three son-in-laws appreciate the unique experiences they have had with Larry when courting his daughters and the strength and commitment to his family.

His five grandchildren laugh when they remember Pap's words of wisdom which were often riddled with sarcasm and coated in humor.

His two grandsons' wives always smile and think about Pap when they hear "early junkyard jeans.” Pap would always comment on their holey jeans.  He would ask if they needed money and would offer to raise a fund for them to buy new pants. 

The littlest ones, the two great-grandchildren, will most likely be told how much he loved them and thanked God for them. 

On Saturday, November 26th, we hope you will join the family in celebrating Larry’s - Dad’s - Pap’s life!  Family, friends, colleagues, friends of the family, and others who knew Larry are welcome to join the family for his favorite meal of the day: breakfast and for a morning of fellowship and remembrance on Saturday, November 26th from 9:00am-12:00pm at Greencastle Church of God, 4480 Buchanan Trail W, Greencastle, PA 17225.  Please come and go as it suits your schedule, and if you cannot attend, we understand and hope that you will complete the later part of this Google Form - https://bit.ly/LHiggins  (Type the link into your browser).

If you plan on joining us for Larry’s favorite breakfast, please RSVP by Monday, November 21st using the Google Form.

If you would like to share how you knew Larry or know the family and to share a statement/expression, memory, quote or story, please do so on the Google Form.

 
Larry cared about the well-being of children and animals, and he loved history, especially the Civil War era and the history of Egypt, and he believed that a good education was essential to one’s freedom and independence.  When Larry passed, he was in the later stages of Dementia.  In regards to flowers and such, Dad would say, “Save your money,” and you could consider donating to a relevant organization:

Shriners Children’s Hospitals (Erie and Philadelphia, PA).

Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter (Chambersburg, PA) or Antietam Humane Society (Waynesboro, PA).

Adams County Historical Society or Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association (Gettysburg, PA).

Any Dementia or Alzheimer research association of interest.

Support public education

Thank you in advance for being a part of Larry’s, Dad’s and Pap’s life!  If you need to contact someone directly, call them or email, Beckie Higgins-Arey, higgins.arey@comcast.net.  Cards and such can be mailed or sent directly to family or C/O (in care of) Beckie Higgins-Arey, 825 Mountain View Road, Waynesboro, Pa 17268.

Sincerely,
The Higgins, Chilcote, Monninger, and Arey Families