Lola M. Higgins

Lola Mae Maloney-Higgins, 89, of Pekin passed away at 12:26 am, Monday, July 29, 2013 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was born in Farmington, IL, January 3, 1924, to Maurice and Luttie Y. (White) Maloney. During her teenage years and World War II she helped out her hardworking family at Bagley's Service Station & Kitchen Counter in Bartonville while attending Manual Training School in Peoria.A certain young man started to stop regularly for gasoline and a piece of home- made chocolate pie.It wasn't very long before the stars in each other's eyes locked.The young couple decided to elope and on Lola's 18th birthday she and Walter Higgins were married in Palmyra, MO on January 3, 1942. Lola and Walt had two sons; the first William Robert Higgins was born in Miami Beach, FL, while Walter was stationed briefly near there.William had been a Higgins family name for many generations.They had a second son, Ronald Eugene Higgins born at the 'old' Proctor Hospital in Peoria.He was named after the family doctor's first name, Eugene Carroll MD of Bartonville.During WWII Lola worked many jobs that had to be close to their home in Bartonville, so she could walk to work, the newlyweds could not afford a car.She finally had two jobs prospects, one for Caterpillar and on for Laidlaw & Co in Bartonville. Laidlaw was closer so she took that job.She took some time off to raise Bill and Ron with the caring, understanding and thoughtfulness nurturing love that made her so special.She always had the time to stop and listen not only to her family but also everyone.One look at Lola and you could tell she was a beautiful, considerate lady. Walt often referred to her as his 'Queen' and she was very much 'Royalty' in her daily life, but never aloof or arrogant.She loved people and loved to help them. After Bill and Ron started school she went back to work.She was credit manager at the Montgomery Ward Catalog store in Pekin 10 years before her performance caught the eye of former Mayor William Waldmeir who was a director at American Saving & Loan.She had to take a little cut in pay to become teller there but grew fast with the Institution.She became the first woman in Pekin's banking to become an officer, first as Assistant Secretary then to Assistant Treasurer.She retired as Vice President after 25 years of service. Lola was a true Christian.She was a member of McArthur Drive Baptist Church in North Pekin where she enjoyed taking care of the Sunday School enrollments & tithes duties and also helped teach the Woman's Discipleship Training Class.Later she attended Emmanuel Community Church in Pekin. Her smile and caring love will be heartfully missed. She is survived by her two sons, William 'Bill' and Ronald 'Ron' both of Pekin; three grandchildren, Carrie M. (Gerard) Smith, Stacey M. (Shane) Hayes both of Pekin, Steven W. (Carrie) Higgins of Peoria; five great grandchildren, Olivia Lalk- Higgins, Katelyn Smith, Jaden Smith, Phoenix Hayes and Leila Higgins; two step great grandchildren,Gavin Lohnes, JazminMalson,and many nieces and nephews and their families; and her 2nd bird a Quaker- Max II. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Walter, 4 brothers who all called her 'Sis' or 'Sister' Wilbur Maloney, Robert (Ann) Maloney, Paul (Reba) Maloney, Wendell (Marietta) Maloney; a sister Margaret (Marvin) Taylor; half- sister, Gwendolyn Miller; one niece Patricia Maloney Henderson; and her first bird, a Quaker, Max I. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 pm Friday, August 2, 2013 at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr., Pekin with visitation 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm prior to service.Pastor Walt Greenleaf will officiate.Cremation will be accorded after service. Burial will be at 11:00 am Saturday, August 3, 2013 at Lakeside Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Emmanuel Community Church of Pekin or American Heart Association. To leave Lola's family an online condolence please visit www. Hendersonfuneralcare.com. Cemetery Lakeside Cemetery 1917 N. 8th Street Pekin,IL 61554 Graveside Service Saturday, August 3, 2013 11:00 AM Lakeside Cemetery 1917 N. 8th Street Pekin,IL 61554 Service Friday, August 2, 2013 7:00 PM delete Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Friday, August 2, 2013 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM delete Pekin,IL 61554