Rachel E Higgins

She was born August 3, 1982 in Overland Park, Kansas to Robert Joseph and Doris Jean (Hall) Higgins.

Surviving are her life partner of seven years, Donna Van Dyke of Mt. Zion; two daughters, Sabrina Van Dyke and Jillian Van Dyke, both of Mt. Zion; her mother, Doris Hall of Raytown, Missouri; her father, Robert Higgins of Shawnee, Kansas and her grandparents, Dean and Kay Hall of Morton and Marvin and Elsie Higgins of Shawnee, Kansas. She also leaves her god-daughter, Brianna Hull of Kansas City, Missouri; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A graduate of Hickman-Mills High School in Kansas City, Missouri, she attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri. In 2006, she graduated from Bradley University in Peoria with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Print Making.

Rachel worked for the State of Illinois Department of Child and Family Services as a caseworker at the Pekin office, last working Tuesday. Previously, she worked at Lutheran Child and Family Services in Decatur as a caseworker.

She was a longtime volunteer with Central Illinois Riding Therapy. She was involved with the Heart of Illinois 4-H Horse Show in Springfield, since age 11, and presently was superintendent of the horse show. She was a past president of Common Ground while at Bradley.

Rachel enjoyed photography, crafts, scrapbooking, computers, and especially helping kids.

Her funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2009at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Lauren Padgett and Rev. Carole Hoke will officiate. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jillian Van Dyke Education Fund in care of Bartonville Bank, 5600 Southwest Adams, Bartonville, IL 61607 or Central Illinois Riding Therapy, 305 Neumann Drive, East Peoria, IL 61611.