Larry "Cotton" Lee Higgs, age 72, of Effingham, Illinois passed away at 9:53 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2018 at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 30, 2018 at Pagel Funeral Homes in Edgewood, Illinois. There will be a one-hour viewing prior to the service. Jim Whitaker and Kenny Cripps will be officiating. Burial will be at Mason Cemetery in Mason, Illinois. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Pagel Funeral Homes in Edgewood, Illinois. Memorials may go to Mason Cemetery or donor's choice.

Larry was born on June 18, 1945 in Effingham, Illinois, the son of John O. and Rose Mary (Yingst) Higgs. He married Vera Lynn Fulk on October 16, 1970 in Elliottstown, Illinois He worked at Best Homes in Effingham, Illinois, the Watson Elevator and also for Bob Simmons. He was a member of the Watson United Methodist Church. He loved hunting, fishing, collecting toy cars and trucks and spending time with family and friends.

Larry is survived by his wife, Vera Higgs of Effingham, Illinois; three sons, Jeff Higgs (wife Anna) of Mattoon, Illinois, Dale Higgs of Effingham, Illinois and Larry Lee Jr. Higgs (wife Amber) of Effingham, Illinois; sister, Marilyn O'Leary of Edgewood, Illinois, Barbara Webster (husband Bob) of Mason, Illinois and Darlene Dillingham (husband James) of Port Richey, Florida; brother, Wilbert Higgs (wife Sandy) of Mason, Illinois; brothers-in-law, Earl Fulk (wife Renee) of California, Ralph Fulk (wife Penny) of Farmington, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Linda Devore (husband Art) of Beecher City, Illinois and Cathy McWhorter of Shumway, Illinois; 6 grandchildren, Terri Fulk, Renee Fulk, Lisa Fulk, Brittany Fulk, Daisy Fulk and William Vanscyoc; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rose Mary Higgs; son, Kelly Higgs; brother, Duane Higgs; in-laws, Earl and Eva Fulk; brother-in-law, Roland O'Leary; nephew, Josh Fulk.