Joseph R. "Randy" Hilligoss (63) of Effingham

Joseph "Randy" Hilligoss, 63, of Effingham, went home with his Lord on Sunday, July 3, 2022.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the Mason Christian Church with visitation being held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Graveside services will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Humboldt Township Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given to W.G.C.C. Missions (please write God Will Make A Way Ministries in the memo). Arrangements are in the care of Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham.

Born to Leslie and Mary (Cook) Hilligoss on January 7, 1959, he was the youngest of five siblings. As the son of a railroader, he spent much of his youth walking tracks and watching his father work. At seventeen, he earned his first official job with the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. He retired from the CN Railroad (formerly Illinois Central Railroad) after 43 years of loyal service. He also served many years as a volunteer firefighter for the Edgewood Fire Department.

He married the love of his life, Rhonda Mae Warner on January 19, 1980, and they were inseparable until she placed his hand into Jesus’s hand after 42 years of marriage. Together they had a daughter, Kara Jo. Kara married Sam Eident and together they had Randy’s grandson, Gus. Gus's face would light up when he heard Grandpa Randy coming through the door, and Gus’s laughter was the joy of Randy’s heart. As well as a loyal husband, father, and grandfather, Randy was ever a faithful friend, brother, and uncle. He was a man of deep, quiet character. He was a man of few words, so his words carried more weight. His advice was the best, his assurances the most comforting, and his jokes the funniest. He preferred to speak through action. If he saw someone needed help, he didn’t ask if they needed help, he just helped them. He was a man who knew what he was about and didn’t really need to say it. Forty-three years a hardworking railroader, 42 years a devoted husband, 40 years a loving father, 8 years a selfless grandpa, every day, a good man.

Randy is also survived by his sister, Judy Bennett of Effingham; brother, Ben (Marsha) Hilligoss of Glenarm; sister-in-law Kathie Hilligoss of Mattoon; sister-in-law Mary Barb Hilligoss of Humboldt; father-in-law, Jack Warner of Mason; brothers-in-law Roger (Brenda) Warner and Raymond (Cindy) Warner of Effingham; sister-in-law Ramona (Michael) Taylor of Bowling Green, KY; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jim Hilligoss and Kenneth Hilligoss; brothers-in-law, Dave Bennett and Denny Varner; mother-in-law, Vivian Warner; and niece, Nicole Hilligoss.