Melvin A. Hicks, 81, of Lakeland, FL, formerly of Olney and Salem, IL died August 4, 2018 at Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota.
He was born February 19, 1937 in Harrisburg, IL the son of Granville “Jeff” and Gladys (Abney) Hicks who preceded him in death.
“Mel” earned an Associate degree in Mechanical and Electrical engineering from Northern Illinois University. He was employed at Roadmaster Corporation in Olney, and later at North American Lighting in Salem. While living in Olney, he was a member of the Olney Southern Baptist Church. He was also active in the musicals at Olney Central College. After moving to Salem, he was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Salem, where he taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and faithfully served as a Deacon. He also sang with the Illinois District of the Barbershop Harmony Society-Centralia Chapter. He was a member of Cypress Lakes Fellowship in Lakeland at the time of his passing, and, enjoyed being a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He faithfully served his country in the United States Air Force.
He married Rhonda F. Goto, August 5, 1961 in Kamloops, BC and she preceded him in death February 2, 2001. He then married Sandra L. VanCleve, December 1, 2001 in Salem and she survives in Lakeland.
Also surviving is his daughter, Deborah L. Stokes and husband Michael of Lakewood Ranch, FL, a son Curtis M. Hicks and fiance Leann Balcer of Columbus, IN, and a step-son Kelly D. Land and wife Vanessa of Nashville, TN., and his grandchildren Kelli Smith, Jake Hicks, Paige Hicks, Mikayla Stokes, Gabriella Land and Christian Land. Also left to mourn his passing are sisters Phyllis Gray and husband Chuck of Stanford, NC, Venita Tanner of Springfield, and Judy Horning of Harrisburg.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:30 am Friday at the First Baptist Church in Salem with Dr. Andy DeWitt officiating. Interment at Paradise Cemetery in Salem will be private.
The family will gather to meet friends from 10:30 am until the service hour on Friday at the First Baptist Church.
The family suggest memorials honoring Mel’s memory may be made to the Tidewell Hospice, 6310 Capital Drive, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202; the American Heart Association, or to the Donor’s choice and will be accepted by the Rankin Funeral Home, entrusted with the family’s care.
The Olney Daily Mail, August 7, 2018
Contributor: B Pipher - 47211947
Melvin A. Hicks, 81, of Lakeland, FL, formerly of Olney and Salem, IL died August 4, 2018 at Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota.
He was born February 19, 1937 in Harrisburg, IL the son of Granville “Jeff” and Gladys (Abney) Hicks who preceded him in death.
“Mel” earned an Associate degree in Mechanical and Electrical engineering from Northern Illinois University. He was employed at Roadmaster Corporation in Olney, and later at North American Lighting in Salem. While living in Olney, he was a member of the Olney Southern Baptist Church. He was also active in the musicals at Olney Central College. After moving to Salem, he was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Salem, where he taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and faithfully served as a Deacon. He also sang with the Illinois District of the Barbershop Harmony Society-Centralia Chapter. He was a member of Cypress Lakes Fellowship in Lakeland at the time of his passing, and, enjoyed being a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He faithfully served his country in the United States Air Force.
He married Rhonda F. Goto, August 5, 1961 in Kamloops, BC and she preceded him in death February 2, 2001. He then married Sandra L. VanCleve, December 1, 2001 in Salem and she survives in Lakeland.
Also surviving is his daughter, Deborah L. Stokes and husband Michael of Lakewood Ranch, FL, a son Curtis M. Hicks and fiance Leann Balcer of Columbus, IN, and a step-son Kelly D. Land and wife Vanessa of Nashville, TN., and his grandchildren Kelli Smith, Jake Hicks, Paige Hicks, Mikayla Stokes, Gabriella Land and Christian Land. Also left to mourn his passing are sisters Phyllis Gray and husband Chuck of Stanford, NC, Venita Tanner of Springfield, and Judy Horning of Harrisburg.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:30 am Friday at the First Baptist Church in Salem with Dr. Andy DeWitt officiating. Interment at Paradise Cemetery in Salem will be private.
The family will gather to meet friends from 10:30 am until the service hour on Friday at the First Baptist Church.
The family suggest memorials honoring Mel’s memory may be made to the Tidewell Hospice, 6310 Capital Drive, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202; the American Heart Association, or to the Donor’s choice and will be accepted by the Rankin Funeral Home, entrusted with the family’s care.
The Olney Daily Mail, August 7, 2018
Contributor: B Pipher - 47211947
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