Roger A. Higgins
- Obituary
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Roger A. Higgins, age 79, of East Dubuque, IL, completed his earthly journey on January 5, 2026, at Ennoble Manor in Dubuque while surrounded by his loving family. To honor Roger’s life, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at R Place, 292 Sinsinawa Avenue in East Dubuque. The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Roger’s family.
Roger was born on January 1, 1947, in Marseilles, IL, the youngest son to Walter and Lona (Perdue) Higgins. He was born with a charming character and unending adoration for his family and friends which he carried proudly throughout his entire life. Roger was a patriot at heart and on his 18th birthday, he immediately signed up with the U.S. Navy and went on to honorably serve his country during the Vietnam War. He spent the majority of his working years at the Chemical Plant in East Dubuque, IL. He made many friends along the way and always gave his best at every job and opportunity he was given.
In his free-time, Roger was a fisherman at heart. He was known to make regular trips up to Lake Erie in search of the largest walleye the lake held, and also countless trips down to the southern lakes in Iowa filling his cooler with as many panfish as he could catch. Roger always understood that even a bad day fishing was always better than his best day at work. He was also willing to make it a priority to share time with his friends whenever possible and catch up on the local gossip while solving the world’s problems one at a time. Roger’s fun and loving nature was always evident to those around him and making friends easily was surely a trait he possessed in aces. We are going to miss Roger more than he could know and are forever grateful for the memories he leaves behind now.
Those left behind to cherish the memory of Roger include,
his loving wife of 25 years,
Lisa Higgins, East Dubuque, IL;
his children,
Roger Higgins, Dubuque, IA,
Bonnie (Tim) Sampson, Cuba City, WI,
John Plagman, Dubuque, IA,
Rebecca Plagman, Dubuque, IA,
Tina (Rick) Ishman, Dubuque, IA,
Dawn (Mike) Schafer, MO,
Jessica Oberbroeckling, Dubuque, IA,
and Sarah (Chris VanLaten) Oberbroeckling, Lake in the Hills, IL;
his grandchildren,
Tiffany Plagman, Mariah Ishman, Stephen Henkel, Samantha Schafer, Logan Higgins, Michael Dean, Zackary Ishman, R.J. Higgins, Alex Plagman, Julian Van Laten, and Hugo Van Laten;
his siblings,
Anna Swartz, Marseilles, IL,
and Daniel Higgins, Sebastian, FL;
along with numerous extended family, friends and neighbors.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Esther Huss, Pearl Burns, Thelma Glenn, Velma Eiben, Phil Higgins and Mid Craven.
Roger’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Ennoble Manor and Care Initiatives Hospice for all of their professional and compassionate care.
Online condolences may be shared with Roger’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com
To honor Roger’s life, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at R Place, 292 Sinsinawa Avenue in East Dubuque.
To Lisa and family. You have my sympathy with the loss of Roger. He was one of my favorite customers when I bartended at Kat’s Meow. He was always a straight shooter and he was a dear, dear friend. We got along great with each other. I respected him to no end. He was always very gracious in letting me help him with the fish fry’s he had out behind the bar. We had some good times. He was truly one of a kind and a great guy.
To the family of Roger Higgins. Your loss is everyone’s loss that knew him. I worked with Roger for 38 years and in that 38 years, he was one of a kind.
Roger, Kennard Davids, Terry Reed and I were on the same bowing team for several years and what wonderful memories we made.
Roger loved to have fun with everything he did but also had a serious side to him. He was one of the best at whatever job he held and was always willing to share any and all the knowledge he had. In my estimation he was the best trainer that ever worked at the plant and the person you wanted when there was an emergency.
Roger will be missed by all who knew him and I was proud to call him my friend.
What a fun and fantastic guy Roger was. The Steichen family had so many great times with Roger and gang . Our condolence’s to the family.
Sending my condolences to All of the Higgins family in the loss of Roger. Peace and love be with all.
Sorry for yours and your family’s loss Lisa
RogeR…… simply put the second capital R is a reflection of the first. oge to the Rs…..RRRRRrrr
I Love You Father Eternally
Rest in Peace Roger
Lisa thank you to you and Roger for being above and beyond fantastic to my mom and dad (Tom and Shirley Dolan) all those years they rented from you! I will NEVER FORGET how great you always were to them. They both loved you and your puppies ❤️
My condolences to the Higgins family and especially to his loving wife Lisa. I will never forget our great time together in NYC, you took so much care of me that I am convincing that caring of each other is so important in your home. take care my friend, a big hug from Belgium, Marleen
My condolences to all his family and friends. Through these hard times. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
♥️💕💖
Thank you Kim