Donald John Hicks

Donald John Hicks, 70, of St. Joseph and Sun City, Arizona, was called peacefully home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 15, 2008. He was born in Benton Harbor to CJ “Pete” and Marie Hicks on July 31, 1937. He was married to the former Beverly Biastock from 1958 until she passed away in 1985. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn “Tobi” Hicks whom he married in 1998. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 18, 2008 at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Ave; St. Joseph with Pastor Paul A. Koehneke & Pastor Franz J. Brandenburg officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd; St. Joseph from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Memorials may be sent to Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Ave, St. Joseph or to the Brewery Collectibles Club of America, 747 Merus Ct., Fenton, MO 63026. Don graduated from St. John’s Catholic School in Benton Harbor in 1955. He served our country in the Army Reserves in the 1950’s. He was owner of Hicks Sign Company from 1961 until 2003 when he retired. He served as a volunteer fireman for St. Joseph Township #1 for many years in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Don was a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. He was an avid collector of beer cans and brewery items and was active with the Brewery Collectibles Club of America, serving as its National President in 1991, and serving as its CANvention Planner for 14 years. He was an active member of the local BCCA Chapter: The Goebel Gang. He was a life member of Moose Lodge 1570 in Benton Harbor and American Legion Post #163. Don also enjoyed spending time with his family and attending sporting events and activities for his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, boating and storytelling. He is survived by three children all of St. Joseph; Darcy (Rob) Heiney, Denise Mahler, and Don II (Kim) Hicks. And two step-daughters; Donna Peters of Columbia, TN and Deborah (Rigo) Fuzetto of Foster City, CA. He is survived by grandchildren; Eric Heiney, Elliott Heiney, Scott Mahler, CPL Mark Mahler, John Mahler, SSGT Marie Wengler, Megan McGlennon, Sarah Hicks; four step-grandchildren; Evan and Emma Peters and Zyon and Hunter Fuzetto; and one great grand-daughter, Nevaeh McGlennon. He is survived by five brothers and sisters; Ray (Mary) Hicks of St. Joseph and Florida, Dorothy Bannon of Gilbert, AZ, Rosemary Stevens of Neenah, WI, David Hicks of Benton Harbor, and Rita (Ed) Braund of Clintonville, WI and several nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents, one infant brother, and his first wife Beverly Hicks. Don will be sadly missed by family and friends.