Carl E. "Bud" Biggs Sr.

Carl (Bud) Edwin Biggs, 92 – The evening of Sunday, May 24th, Earth lost a good and faithful servant. Carl died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes at home with family. Carl was born in Mishawaka, Indiana, on April 25, 1928. He is survived by the profound love of his life, Isabelle (Liz) Roselee Emmans, whom he met at George’s Soda Shop in Mishawaka as a teenager. They married April 16, 1949. Carl remained steadfast and devoted throughout their 71-year marriage, always cherishing Isabelle, and being the biggest fan of her singing and organ playing.

Also surviving are his children - Brenda King of Mishawaka, Douglas (Deb Qualls) Biggs of Cassopolis, Glenda Beck of North Manchester, Peggy Biggs of Osceola, Carl (Ed) Edwin (XiaoFang) Biggs, Jr. of Mishawaka; his grandchildren – Jon (Amy) Beck of Avilla, Bobby (Crystal) King, Jr. of Rochester, Amber (Nick) Snyder of Mishawaka, Jennifer Beck of Fort Wayne, Thomas Biggs of Cassopolis, Ben Portsmouth of England, Brooke (Michelle) Biggs of Nashville, Jeremiah Biggs-Atkins of Osceola, Zakharyah (Angela) Biggs of Osceola, Andrew Biggs of Osceola, Micah Biggs-Atkins of Mishawaka, Justin Biggs of Osceola, Katie Biggs of Houston; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Dawson of Mishawaka; sister-in-law, Roberta Geminder of Edwardsburg; many cousins; nieces and nephews; and those who will always be part of the family – Bobby King of Russellville, Alabama, Michelle (Tom) Gaby of Mishawaka, Laura Biggs of Osceola, Kristina (Daniel) Stacker of Mishawaka along with many others welcomed as family. He was preceded in death by his parents Bert and Thelma (nee Housand) Biggs; sister, Bertie Sue Gunn; a son, Thomas Kirk Biggs; sons-in-law, Wayne Beck and Russell Atkins; a grandson, Isaiah Biggs, and  a granddaughter in-law, Stephanie Beck.

In his early life, he finished concrete with a family friend, Lloyd Donovan, where he learned the saying, “One boy, is one boy’s help. Two boys, is a half boy’s help, and three boys, is like no help at all.” Working at Studebaker until it closed, Carl then worked and retired from Ball Band/Uniroyal. He was known to lug 100lb bags of product on his shoulders for mixing paint and rubber products. His children all went once a year to buy tennis shoes at the Ball Band store. In the early 1960’s, Isabelle, better known as “Liz”, began managing the Coffee Pot restaurant in Osceola next to Menaugh’s (Osceola Hardware) Hardware. Later Carl (“Bud” to everyone who knew him) would open with his wife at 5:30 a.m. as cook, then go on to Uniroyal for a later shift. Bud and Liz managed the Coffee Pot for over 20 years enjoying the comradery and practical jokes of the regular customers, many of whom became lifelong friends.

He labored hard for the Union, but family always came first. Full of sage teachings, he tended and coached children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at ball games, not missing school functions. He was kind with a permeating smile, zest for life, and quick wit, even to his last picnic in the sun, only a day before passing. He said hello to whomever he passed. He taught his family to be loving, and considerate. For every hug and kiss he said thank you. He was always willing to help anyone and treated everyone with respect. “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all,” was preached and practiced. There was not a trip to the hospital that the staff did not comment on how considerate and courteous he was with a smile for each of them. 

Carl loved going for a ride to anywhere and it was the preferred Sunday afternoon entertainment. He would never go home the same way he went. Isabelle tells stories of a car they had when they were younger that would only go so far then it would overheat. They would have to smooch until it would cool down and they could go a little farther. He clearly enjoyed the journey more than the destination. Until recent months, they took a ride every day. Carl and Isabelle wintered in Florida for many years, most recently in Ocala. He loved sitting on the porch watching the birds and just enjoying the outdoors. He always said you did not have to shovel heat. As they travelled, they sought out churches to attend and have been faithful attendees to many congregations over the years serving in a multitude of ways, setting a lifelong example for family and others. 

Carl was an active member of the Osceola Lions Club since 1971 receiving the Club’s highest honor.  He used his cooking talents for the annual fish fries and pancake and sausage breakfast. He played many sports enjoying softball, bowling, and golf until he could no longer participate. Hunting rabbit on the family property was a beloved pastime and all (except Laura) looked forward to fried rabbit along with rabbit gravy on Thanksgiving. Fishing with a cane pole was the only way. He was a favorite at family gatherings with the kids young and old, always willing to rough house and entertain them. He was an avid Euchre player. Everyone’s goal was to beat him which happened on rare occasions. 

Carl, Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle Bud - missed by all until we are joined again. In Bud’s memory, donations may be made to the Osceola Lions Club, PO Box 21, Osceola, IN 46561.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 & 6-8 pm Thursday, June 4, 2020 and one hour prior to the 1:00 pm funeral service on Friday, June 5, 2020 at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola. Interment will follow in Osceola Cemetery. To access the livestream service use the Zoom website or app with a Meeting ID of 574 674 8689  or click on the following link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5746748689

Please join the livestream 15 minutes prior to the start of the service.

*For the health and safety of our families and the guidelines provided by the State of Indiana, masks are optional for the viewing and service with social distancing guidelines being followed.   You are asked, as at any time, if you are not feeling well or have signs of an illness – fever, persistent cough, fatigue, body aches, headache, chills, sore throat, difficulty breathing, loss of smell or taste – you stay at home, take care of yourself and share your condolences in person at a later date. 

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