Eldon Higby

Eldon Higby, age 87, owner of Higby Mortuary in Aurora and he still held an active Funeral Director/Embalmers license, died Friday morning, December 14, 2001, at Hamilton Manor.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday at the United Methodist Church in Aurora. Dr. Joe Scahill will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 P.M. Sunday at Higby Mortuary. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: ELDON HIGBY

Eldon Edwin Higby, the son of Austin Leslie and Louise Amy (Stratton) Higby, was born in Aurora, Nebraska on August 17, 1914 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on December 14, 2001, at the age of 87 years.

He grew up in Aurora and graduated from Aurora High School in 1934. Eldon served his apprenticeship at Wadlow's Mortuary in Lincoln. In July 1935, he attended Williams School of Mortuary Science in Kansas City, graduating in December 1935. Eldon received his embalmer's license in January 1936. He worked for several mortuaries in McCook, Beatrice and Nelson before returning to Aurora on July 1, 1938.

Eldon was united in marriage to Dorothy Elizabeth Bargen on August 27, 1939 at her parent's home in Nelson. Two sons were born to this union, Dick and Jim. Eldon worked with his father at Chapman-Higby Mortuary. In 1946, he purchased interest in the mortuary and at the time of his father's death purchased the remaining interest. In 1972, Higby Mortuary Inc. was started with his son, Jim. Dorothy and Eldon were married for 62 years. Dorothy passed away on September 25, 2001.

Eldon was very active in the community. He served on the Aurora Cemetery Board from 1947 to 1989, most of the time as chairman. Eldon served on the Chamber of Commerce Board for two years and he was a longtime member of Aurora Rotary. He was a member of the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years from 1943-1968, for five years he served at Chief of the Department. Eldon was a member of the United Methodist Church, serving on various committees of the church. In April 1986, Eldon received a 50 year plaque for serving as a Funeral Director/Embalmer. He was selected for outstanding performance in the Professional, Civic and Community Endeavors by the Nebraska Funeral Supply Salesmens Club. Eldon served as President of the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association from 1970-71, he also served on various committees of that organization.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers, Wayne and Warren.

Eldon is survived by his two sons, Dick Higby of San Antonio, Texas and Jim Higby and his wife Linda of Aurora; 4 grandchildren, Steven Higby of San Antonio, Texas, Paul Higby of Denver, Colorado, Ann Higby of Denver, Colorado and Sara Higby of Austin, Texas; sister, Geraldine Oldham of Genoa, Illinois and brother, Vernon Higby of Aurora.