Kentucky Obituaries

Paul J. Hickingbotham, 33 year old sailor assigned to a patrol boat at the Portsmouth naval base, took his own life yesterday at his room at 177 State street.

Dr. Wendell P. Clare, county medical referee, gave a verdict of suicide after Hickingbotham's body was found on a bed in his gas filled room.

Authorities said two gas burner plates were turned on. He was discovered by Mrs. Sam Hooz, who smelled gas and entered the room.

Hickingbotham, and engineman 2/c, is survived by a daughter, Julianne Hickingbotham, of 15 Court street, Exeter; and two brothers, William G., of North Andover, Mass; and Philip Hickingbotham of Lawrence, Mass.

The body of Paul J. Hickingbotham, engineman second class, USN, who died in Portsmouth Sunday, was taken to North Andover, Mass., yesterday afternoon.

Funeral services will be held there tomorrow morning and burial will be in the Holy Sepulchre cemetery of that town.

Herbert Higginbotham, 50, 77 Richardson Road, Hollis, a well known resident and town moderator, died early Monday morning in a Nashua hospital after a long illness. He was born in Quincy, Mass. on Feb. 10, 1924, son of Madeline (Lugrin) Higginbotham and the late Herbert Higginbotham.

A graduate of Wilmington, Mass. High School and Tufts University Class of 1949 of which he was president, during World War II he served as a navigator in the US Air Force in the European Theater. A resident of Hollis for the past seven years, he had previously resided in Reading, Mass. Mr. Higginbotham was a communicant of the Church of the Resurrection.

Active in town affairs, he was treasurer of the Conservation Commission, and the Hollis Police Commission. He was a member of the Wilmington Masonic Lodge AF & AM and the Tufts University Alumni Association, and was president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was a consulting engineer with Lake Systems, Inc. Natick, Mass.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Doris (McDonald) Higginbotham of Hollis; a daughter, Miss Heather A. Higginbotham; two sons, Glenn T. Higginbotham and Herbert Brook Higginbotham, all of Hollis; his mother, Mrs. Madeline Higginbotham of Wilmington; four sisters, Mrs. Robert (Edith) Michelson of Wilmington, Mrs. Carl (Barbara) Bowley of Seminole, Fla., Mrs. Katherine Dee of Lowell, Mass., and Mrs. Daniel (Sarah) Cosman of Wilmington; several nieces and nephews.

The Davis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Concord Monitor 2/17/1992
Milford M. Higginbotham (1901-1992) WV/FL/NH
Epsom - Milford Higgenbotham, 91, of Star Route, Northwood, died Saturday at Concord Hospital after a sudden illness.
Born in West Virginia, he had lived in Florida before coming to the Epsom area four years ago.
He was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
He had worked many years as a self-employed carpenter.
He leaves his wife, Hazel Higgenbotham of Epsom; a step-son, Richard Fitts of Epsom and Step-daughter, Carol Dennerly of New York; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers and a sister.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Boutwell and Hussey-Wiren Funeral Home. Paul Pelletier, presiding minister of Jehovah's Witnesses, will officiate. Burial will be in the spring.
Calling hours are tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Concord Monitor 7/24/1997
Arlene Shirley Higginbottom Hardy (1921-1997) MA/NH
New London - Arlene S. Hardy, 75, of Laurel Lane, died yesterday at the Merrimack County Nursing Home following a long illness.
She was born in Lowell, Mass., the daughter of Joseph and Bessie (Pascal) Higginbottom. She graduated from Lowell High School and Bradshaw Business College. She worked as a bank teller for many years at the Union National Bank of Lowell. She lived in New Hampshire for the past 26 years where she enjoyed fishing, target shooting, golf and skiing with her family.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Thomas Hardy of New London; two sons, David Hardy of Barre, Vt., and Thomas Hardy Jr. of Roseburg, Ore.; and two grandsons.
The funeral will be private.
Chadwick Funeral Service of New London is in charge of arrangements.

Concord Monitor 7/15/2001
Hazel W. Fifield Fitts Higginbotham (1907-2001) NH
Epsom - Hazel W. Higginbotham, 94, died Thursday at the Epsom Manor Nursing Home.
She was born in Concord, the daughter of Arthur and Susan (Wales) Fifield.
She spent most of her life in the Concord area, but also lived briefly in Florida.
She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and served as a full-time pioneer with the religious group.
She was predeceased by her husbands, Clyde Fitts and Milford Higgenbotham.
Survivors include a son, Richard Fitts of Northwood; a daughter, Carol Dennerly of Victor, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wendell J. Butt Funeral Home, 42 Washington St., Penacook.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Richard Morgan of Vermont will officiate.
Burial will follow in Hopkinton New Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Ida Abbie David Osborn Higginbotham (1924-2002) NH/TN

FISHERVILLE, Tenn. — Ida Abbie Higginbotham, 77, of Fisherville, and formerly of Dover, N.H., died Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2002, at the Cordona Rehab in Cordona.
She is survived by her daughter, Dianne Loff of Arlington, Texas; a son, Wesley R. Osborn Jr. of Memphis; sisters, Sally Sullivan and Minnie Burchette of Dover, Anna Statom of Muncie, Ind., and Nellie Mersereau of Boston, Mass.; brothers, Gus, Butch, Sam and Bill David, all of Dover; and three grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert H. Higginbotham.

MANCHESTER -- Howard Higginbotham, 86, of Old Hackett Hill Road, a retired self-employed business owner, died Oct. 29, 2004, at Hackett Hill Health Center in Manchester.

He was the husband of Dorothy A. (Reardon) Higginbotham.

He was born in Providence, R.I., the son of Eugene and Rose (Carberry) Higginbotham, and lived in Warwick, R.I., before moving to Manchester in 1981.

Mr. Higginbotham was self-employed in the printing business as the owner of three printing outlets in New Hampshire for 15 years before retiring in 1990. He was previously an independent agent for Paul Arpin Van Lines in Woburn, Mass., for 10 years and prior to that the owner and operator of Higginbotham Oil in Warwick for 20 years.

Mr. Higginbotham was a Merchant Marine veteran of World War II.

Besides his wife, family members include two sons, Alan B. Higginbotham of Greenland and Richard F. Higginbotham of Meredith; a daughter, Jean M. Jones of Bow; and six grandchildren.

SERVICES: His funeral will be held Wednesday at 9 a.m. from the Peter J. Barrett Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., Warwick, R.I., with a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in St. Benedict Church, 135 Beach Ave., Warwick. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston, R.I. Calling hours are Tuesday at the funeral home from 2:30 to 4 and 6:30 to 8 p.m.

MANCHESTER -- Dorothy A. Higginbotham, 90, formerly of Warwick, R.I., died Sept. 6, 2009, at Villa Crest Nursing Home in Manchester.
Born in Providence, R.I., to William Leo Reardon and Marion V. (Davis) Reardon, she lived in Warwick until moving to Manchester in 1981. She graduated from Rhode Island College.
Mrs. Higginbotham taught in Warwick public schools for 25 years, most recently at Randall Holden School, before retiring in 1981.
She was the wife of the late Howard B. Higginbotham.
Family includes sons Alan B. Higginbotham of Stratham and Richard F. Higginbotham of Meredith; daughter Jean M. Jones of Bow; and six grandchildren.
SERVICES: Calling hours are Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a funeral Friday at 9 a.m., both from Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., Warwick.
A Mass of Christian burial is Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Benedict Church, 135 Beach Ave., Warwick.
Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston, R.I.

Ruth D. (Darling) O’Neil Higginbotham, 83 Retired North Attleboro Police Department Secretary Ruth D. (Darling) O’Neil Higginbotham, 83, of Sunset Acres, Washington Street, Plainville, died on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at her residence surrounded by her loving family following a lengthy illness. She leaves a daughter: Patricia R. Mullen and her companion, George Anderson, of Attleboro; her daughter-in-law: Cecilia (Sanchez) O’Neil of Santa Fe, New Mexico; four granddaughters: Jessie Lingerfeldt and her husband, Chris Lingerfeldt, of Cornelius, North Carolina; Jennifer O’Neil of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Bridget Mullen of Seattle, Washington and Tara Meyer and her husband, Joshua Meyer, of Burlington, Vermont; three stepchildren: Linda Mae Rittenhouse of St. Augustine, Florida; Gerald A. Higginbotham of North Attleboro and John R. Higginbotham of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and several extended family members and dear friends. She was the wife of the late Edward J. O’Neil who died in 1985 and the late Gerald Higginbotham who died in 2000. She was the companion of the late Andrew J. Tessier who died in 2006. She was the mother of the late Edward P. O’Neil who died in 1975 and was the sister of the late Ronald Darling and Kenneth Darling. Born in Rochester, New Hampshire on June 28, 1926, she was the only daughter born to the late Herbert Carlton and Lola Hamilton (Durrell) Darling. She was raised and educated in Plainville where she was a 1944 graduate of the former Plainville High School. She served as a secretary for the North Attleboro Police Department from 1971 until her retirement in 1986. In 1997 Mrs. Higginbotham returned to Plainville from neighboring North Attleboro where she had been a resident for many years. Mrs. Higginbotham was a longtime member of the Plainville United Methodist Church where she belonged to the church’s Women’s Club. Her favorite pastimes included arts and crafts, baking and knitting; however, her greatest satisfaction came from the time spent with her four beloved granddaughters. She enjoyed traveling and was always open to new ideas and cultures. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, caregiver and true friend; one who was always thinking of others and never had an ill word to say about anyone. Her upbeat personality and playful sense of humor made her a delight to be around. She loved animals and throughout her life gave generously to numerous animal shelters. She served as the secretary of the West Wrentham Cemetery for many years. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Monday, November 23, 2009 from 4:00 – 6:45 PM in the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home – the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson House, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Those in need of a local ride to visitation may simply call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Funeral Service at the conclusion of visitation on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home – the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson House, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with Anna Rae-Kelly of ARK Ministries, officiating. Burial will be private in the West Wrentham Cemetery, Wrentham. Children’s room available during visitation and the funeral service. Please do not send flowers. Memorial donations in Mrs. Higginbotham’s name may be made to Dyer-Lake Charitable Foundation, Inc., a registered 501 (c) (3) organization, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, North Attleboro, MA 02760 to benefit the North Attleboro Animal Shelter. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online register book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.

Julie A. Rothmund, 79, of Raymond, NH, died January 12, 2018, surrounded by her loving husband and family, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Born in Lawrence, MA on August 21, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Paul Hickingbotham and Elaine (Richardson) Lord.
Julie resided in Deerfield for many years before moving to Raymond.
In her early years, Julie was a cardiac technician with the Elliot Hospital. Afterwards, she was employed with New Hampshire Cardiology until her retirement.
An avid runner, she completed the New York City Marathon as well as the Mount Washington Road Race. She was a member of the Athletic Alliance Running Club.
Julie will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time at the beach with her husband, David. She was fond of her dog, Marcie, and cat, Smudge.
Family members include her husband of thirty-six years, David R. Rothmund; her five children, Judith Dow and her husband, Ted; Edward Syrek and his wife, Denise; Timothy Syrek; Robyn Syrek; and Dr. David Syrek; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Lord; four sisters, Roberta "Bobbie" Gelinas, Bernice "Bunny" Thomas, Margaret "Peggy" Lesnyk, and Donna McIntire; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her stepfather, Robert Lord.
Calling hours are Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 537 Union Street, Manchester, NH.
Burial will take place in New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH, at a later date.

Claire M. Higginbotham, 74, of Hollis, NH entered into eternal rest Thursday evening January 30, 2025 at Fairview Nursing Home in Hudson, NH with her beloved children by her side after a long battle with brain cancer. She was married for 30 years to the love of her life, the late John Keith Higginbotham who died January 20, 2013. Together their love for each other flourished into a large family with a household filled with laughter and love for one another. Born in Cambridge, MA, she was the daughter of the late Francis J. Murphy and Genevieve Wells Murphy. She was also predeceased by her brother, Kevin Murphy. Claire grew up in Concord, MA and graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School in 1968. After graduation, she attended Greenfield Community College and began her career at Liberty Mutual. Claire then worked at Digital Equipment Corporation where she was afforded the opportunity to move to Georgia, Keith's home state, where she began her family and made many lasting friendships before finally returning to Massachusetts to raise her family. She retired in 2017 from Juniper Networks in Westford, MA. For the last two years, Claire lived in Hollis, NH with her daughter and family where she enjoyed seeing her grandchildren laugh and grow. Claire lived every aspect of her life surrounded by family and community. She raised her family as active communicants of Blessed Trinity Parish at St. Catherine of Alexandria, was an avid reader who enjoyed her monthly book club meetings, and cherished making memories at the beach with her family and friends in Kennebunk, Maine. Claire is survived by her daughter, Kelly and her husband, Michael Zammitti of Hollis, NH; her three sons, Craig and his wife, Lia Higginbotham of Nashua, NH and Kyle Higginbotham and his wife, Casey Doyle of Atkinson, NH, and John Higginbotham of Social Circle, GA; her brothers, Dennis Murphy and wife, Cindy of Concord, MA, Brian Murphy and wife, Gail of Pepperell, MA, Sean Murphy and wife, Susan of Maynard, MA; her sister, Kathy Murphy and husband, Don Prevost of Columbus, MO; seven grandchildren, Jessica, Jimmy, Landon, Jackson, Oliver, Wesley, and Owen; two great grandchildren, Chandler and Riley as well as many nieces and nephews. Claire's visiting hours will be Wed., Feb. 5, 2025 from 3 to 7pm. Funeral Thurs., Feb. 6, 2025 at 9am from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 MIDDLESEX STREET, N. CHELMSFORD, MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Westford, MA. Burial in St. Catherine Cemetery, Westford, MA. Memorials may be made in her name to the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel St., Suite 6, Newton, MA 02458. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.