David Joseph Bigham

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Rev. Mr. David Joseph Bigham, born in Mattoon, joined his Heavenly Father on July 9, 2009 in San Diego, Calif. at age 60. He passed after a short battle with esophageal cancer.

Born in 1948 to Bridget, nee Bruns and Edward Bigham. David lived in Southern Illinois for most of his life while also exploring the world, particularly during his time in the US Navy, 1967-1972. He graduated from Pinckneyville High School and later earned degrees from Rend Lake College, St. Louis University and Webster University. He worked for Consolidated Coal Company in Pinckneyville, and Creve Coeur, Mo. from 1972-1997. He then worked as the Director of Religious Education for St. Albert the Great Church in Fairview Heights, until 2004.

While in the Navy, David met his wife, Dr. Ngoc-Thuy Bigham. They married in 1972 and raised four children. They lived in Fairview Heights for many years and then later moved to the beach that David loved in Naples, Fla. and San Diego, Calif.

David was a devout and active member of the Roman Catholic Church, ordained into the brotherhood of the Diaconate in 1985. He served St. Albert the Great Church as the parish deacon until 2004. He was well known for his thoughtful and witty homilies as well his strong commitment to the parish community.

David will be remembered for his sharp sense of humor, deep convictions, insatiable intellectual curiosity and unyielding love for his family, friends and beloved pets. He loved reading, learning, cooking and laughing.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Bridget and Edward Bigham; his brother, Thomas Bigham; and his daughter Rebecca Bigham, also known as Twe.

David is survived by his wife of 37 years, Thuy, of San Diego and his children Katie Fabert (Dan) of Rockford; Marie Bigham (Colin Pettus) of Dallas, Texas; and D. Joseph Bigham (Anne Mauler) of San Diego, Calif. David's surviving siblings are Rodger Bigham of Shreveport, La; Steve Bigham (Judy) of Pinckneyville; Robert Bigham (Laura) of Fairview Heights; Bridget Moody (Eugene) of Pinckneyville; and Jim Bigham (Alyscia) of Fairview Heights. He leaves many nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and Lucy, his devoted dog.

Memorials may be made to the San Diego Hospice David Bigham Memorial Fund. The family also encourages you to volunteer with your local hospice and to sign an organ donor card as a way to honor David's life.

Friends may call from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Kassly Mortuary, Fairview Heights.

Funeral procession to leave at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2009 from Kassly Mortuary, Fairview Heights, for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, with Father James Long officiating. Interment will take place at the St. Bruno's Catholic Cemetery in Pinckneyville, at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2009.