Claude's life began October 20, 1927 in Monett, Arkansas.  During his childhood Claude's family moved to Michigan making Watervliet their home.  Claude worked as a Forman for Industrial Rubber for 25 years and drove truck for Golden Brown Bakery for 17 years.  Outside of work he loved to bowl and work in his wood shop building birdhouses.

His greatest enjoyment came in spending time with his loving family which includes: two sons Claude Higginbottom Jr and Donald Higginbottom; two daughters Becky (Ken) Rinks and Valerie (Chuck) Tucker; four stepchildren Carol Saubier, Dianna Richardson, Brian (Cindy) Richardson, and Vicki (Terry) Head; 15 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; a bother Jim (Carol) Higginbottom; a sister Brenda Paulette (Jim) Lynch; a half-brother Ronnie Denny; a half-sister Connie Phiefer; and many nieces and nephews.

Claude died Sunday, August 31, at home surrounded by family.  He is preceded in death by two wives Joanne and RoseMarie, a daughter Brenda Stineman, a brother Wyley Higginbottom, and his parents Wyley and Rose (Furnish) Higginbottom.  Friends may visit with Claude's family Wednesday, September 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet were funeral services will be celebrated Thursday, September 4, at 11:00 AM.  Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens.  Memorials may be made in Claude's memory to Hospice at Home or Kidney Foundation.  You are invited to leave a memory of Claude at hutchinsfuneral.com.