JOSEPH ERVIN HIGGINS was born at Wapella, SK on August 4th, 1932. Nine months later, he and his family moved north to farm in the Reigate District at McKague, SK. Ervin resided on that same family farm until January 14th, 2018. As his health declined he spent some time in the Tisdale Hospital and in Long Term Care in the Wadena Hospital. May 29th, 2018, he was able to move back to Tisdale to a room in Newmarket Place. November 13th, 2018, he was transferred back to the Tisdale Hospital. He remained there until Monday, November 26th, 2018, when he passed away peacefully with his family by his side.

Ervin received his schooling in the Reigate School, and then became fully engaged on the family farm. During the winter months he did off farm work. In the winter of 1958, he worked for Irvin McChesney at Kelvington running the seed cleaning plant. Another winter he helped install power lines in the Togo area. He also spent some time working in the oil field around Estevan and Lampman. Beginning in 1965, he spent four winters working at Quesnel, BC, first at a plywood plant and later at a sawmill.

While working at Quesnel, Ervin met Lois Earl of Quesnel. They were married there on December 28, 1966. To this union three children were born. After Ervin and Lois were married, they returned to BC for two more winters. Then Ervin built a hog barn and was involved in grain farming and hog production year round on the farm at McKague. He spent a few months one winter weighing gravel for the CP Rail in McKague. He also served a few years on the McKague School Board during the time his children were attending school there. Ervin continued farming until he was no longer physically able to be actively involved, but he remained very interested in the activities on the farm. After he was retired he enjoyed watching the birds at his bird feeders and spending time with the pets on the farm. It brought a special joy into his life when his grandchildren, Adam and Megan, were added to the family!

Having been raised in a home with parents that loved God, in 1963, Ervin made his own choice to serve God. He remained true to that choice until the end of his life. He always enjoyed fellowship with those of “like precious faith.” His faith in God was his greatest comfort through the varied experiences of life.

Ervin was predeceased by: his father, Joseph Higgins in 1960, and his mother, Clara Edith Higgins (nee Thompson) in 1972; his brother, Keith Higgins in 1991, and sister-in-law, Catherine (Kitty) in 2009; his brother, Carl Higgins in 2005, and sister-in-law Anna May in 2016; his father-in-law, Bill Earl in 1974, and mother-in-law, Norma Earl in 2007.

Ervin is fondly remembered by: his loving wife of almost 52 years, Lois Higgins; his son, Garvin Higgins; his son and daughter-in-law, Bradley & Janelle Higgins, and grandchildren Adam and Megan Higgins; his daughter Lynn Higgins; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim & Cheryl Earl; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and many, many friends.

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