Doris Higdon

Doris Ann Higdon, 79, of Delavan, passed away Monday, November 6, 2023 at her home.

She was born November 21, 1943 in Hartsburg to Lee and Eileen Bruns Newby.  She married William Houghton on April 28, 1963 and out of this marriage two children were born.  She later married William Higdon on March 11, 1978, and he passed away May 2, 2012.

Surviving are one son, Ronald (Cheryl) Houghton of Saucier, MS; one daughter, Susan (Jay) Whapham of Waverly, VA; two granddaughters, Megan (Rob) Meyer and Ashton (Tyler) Eubanks; two grandsons, Matthew Whapham and Michael Whapham; two great grandsons, Briggs William Eubanks and Jeremiah Dalton Whapham; one brother, Howard Newby of Springfield, IL; a special friend for 10 years, Donald Ahrends; four sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Gritton of Paxton, Kimberle Newby of Florida, Sharon Newby of Florida, and Betty McBryant of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Elnora Wilson; and one brother, Nelson Newby.

Doris owned and operated the New Salem Country Opry in Petersburg for nearly 30 years. She last worked for the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria for over 25 years.

She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hartsburg, where she served on the church council.  She was active with the Delavan Fall Festival, Delavan Township Park District, and the Illinois Country Music Association.

Her visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Delavan. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Sat. Nov. 11, 2023, with a 1-hour prior visitation, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hartsburg.  Pastor Stephen Goodwin will officiate. Burial will be in Prairie Rest Cemetery in Delavan following the service.  Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Delavan is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hartsburg or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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