JOHN RILEY HICKS

John Riley Hicks, age 77, of Larwill, IN passed away at 11:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at his daughter's home in Warsaw. He departed this life to be with the Lord and his beloved deceased wife, Wilma. Born on September 29, 1935 in Prestonburg, KY, as the oldest son of Ell and Allie (Shepard) Hicks.

He moved from Prestonburg in 1944 to Kosciusko County and in 1971 he moved to his present home in Larwill.He graduated from Sidney High School, with the Class of 1954. John served with the United States Army and on October 29, 1954 he married his high school sweetheart Wilma Jean Albertson in Warsaw. He worked at General Electric for 25 years and Lockheed Martin for 5 years, before retiring in 2000.He was a past volunteer fireman of Claypool Fire Department. John was a farmer in his early years and his favorite hobby was being a Bee Keeper.He said it was there that he felt the closest to God working with the Honey Bees and being one with nature. After John retired it was a dream of his and his wife Wilma to have a snowbird home in Fl so they bought a house and would spend their winters there.

Survivors include his son, Gene (Mariann) Hicks of Columbia City; daughters, Jenny (Leon) Warner and Katrina Reynolds both of Warsaw; mother, Allie Hicks, Sebring, FL; brothers, Tom B. (Jewell) Hicks of Warsaw, William C. (Cora) Hicks of Sebring, FL and Jack M. (Joyce) Hicks of Pierceton; sister Dorothy Pyle, Sebring, FL; The pride and joy of John's life was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Two of Johns 12 grandchildren he helped raise. He played such a big part in raising them that they called him Dad with pride was John Michael (Tiffany) and Krystal Tennant. John was so proud of that fact and them. The other 10 grandchildren are, Riley Reynolds, Camryn Reynolds, Gena Hicks, Miriah Hicks, Kira Hicks, Becca (Mike) Timmrick, Michael (Kelly) Warner, Jacob Warner, Nicole (David) Taylor and Aaron (Angie) Hill; 7 great grandchildren, Nathan Tennant, Nikolas Tennant, Aubrie Timmrick, Abel Hicks, Brice Taylor, Syndney Taylor and Sean Hill. Friend Pat Costella. He was preceded in death and welcomed into Heaven by his father Ell, wife, Wilma Jean Hicks, daughter, Teresa Hicks and granddaughter, Kaylee Jo Hicks.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 19, 2013 from 2-4 and 6-8 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the funeral home with Pastor Randall Brashear of Silver Lake officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton with graveside military rites conducted by the Whitley County Korean War Veteran's Honor Guard. Memorial gifts may be given in Mr. Hicks' memory to Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice.