Daniel P. Higgins, 87, of Homewood, a former assistant to the treasurer for the Illinois Central Railroad, died Sunday at the Rest Haven South Nursing Home in South Holland after a lengthy illness. Born in Louisville, Mr. Higgins moved to Chicago when he was a child and graduated from Mt. Carmel High School. Following in his father’s footsteps, he went to work for the IC as a clerk and worked there until he was drafted during World War II when he was 30 years old. He was so much older than the other recruits that he was called “old man” during basic training, according his daughter Patricia. Mr. Higgins served in the Army Air Forces for more than three years. He subsequently became a founding member of the 13th Army Air Force Veterans Association. Mr. Higgins returned to Chicago in late 1945 and went back to work for the IC, becoming assistant to the treasurer before retiring in 1977. Other survivors include another daughter, Norene Trondsen; a son, Daniel; and three grandchildren. Mass has been said.
