Herbert Hicks

1935 - 2016

August 27, 1935- December 14, 2016 Herbert Hicks was born on August 27, 1935 in Macon, Missouri to Herbert and Alma Jones Hicks. Herbert moved to Gary, Indiana in 1940 after his mother remarried, Mr. Roosevelt Wilbon. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1954, where he participated in the drama & sports programs. After graduation he attended Purdue Calumet for a brief time studying mechanical engineering and then on to serve in the Army. He retired after 34 years of service from the Sheet and Tin Mill of Gary Works. During his tenure he served two terms as Vice President for the union, Local 1066. After retiring from U.S. Steel he went on to work for 10 years at the Lake County Association for the Retarded, where he worked as an instructor and truck driver. In 1956, Herbert met his wife Marilyn Skinner and on December 28, 1958, they were united in marriage by the late Dr. Robert E. Penn. To this union two beautiful children were born, the late Karla Charisse Hicks and the late Kenneth Bernard Hicks. Herbert joined First Baptist Church in 1957, under the leadership of Dr. Robert E. Penn and has been a member for 60 years. He was a member of the Men's Sunday School Class, and the Deacon Board for 42 years until his health began to decline. He was also a Jr. Usher Board Leader, and Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts Leader. He started basketball team for the boys and worked on the board for Images of Hope of First Baptist Church. Herbert served two terms as Precinct Committeemen for G3-7. He was part of many organizations and served on numerous boards, President of the 1954 Class Reunion Committee for 60 years. Herbert was one of 4 blacks to join officiating in the 1960's. He was an official for 40+ years for basketball, baseball and volleyball and part of the local and state organizations; the Indiana High School Athletic Association, the Lake County Officials Association, the Indiana Athletic Association, and the Northwest Indiana Official Association and the Calumet Official Association. Herbert and his wife went on to fulfill his dream of being a business owner. In 1980, he made his dream come true by joining the Bressler's 33 Flavors Ice Cream franchise and owning and operating a store in the Village Shopping Center for 11 years. He served on the Merchants Committee for the Mall for 3 three years. Herbert exchanged time for eternity on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 3:45 p.m. in his home with his wife by his side. He is preceded in death by his parents Mr. & Mrs. Roosevelt Wilbon, Children; Karla and Kenneth Hicks. He leaves to cherish fond and precious memories: loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Marilyn; daughter -in-law: Marechalniel LaBroi - Hicks; Brother: Tommy (Mary) Hicks of Moberly, MO.; five sisters: Kathryn (Michael) Conway of Marshall, MO., Rosie (Randy) Cropp of Denver, CO, Elaine Hicks of Minnesota, Doris (George) Galbreath of Minnesota, Wilma (James) Clark of Minnesota; 2 Brother-in-Laws: Willard Skinner of Merrillville, IN and Gregory Skinner of Gary, IN; a devoted nephew: Michael (Karen) Hicks of St. Peters, MO and a devoted niece: Leslie Skinner-Leslie of Portage, IN devoted cousin: Armentha Edmond of Gary, IN; Cousins: Edward (Barbara)Washington of Pasadena, CA, Marian C. Speights of Olympia Fields, IL, Dennis (Denise) Jordan of New York, N.Y., Janis Jordan of Miami, FL and Edwina Jordan of Peoria , IL; Devoted Friends: Lucius (Marva) Bowen of Las Vegas ,NV; Arthel (Virginia) Martin of Texas; Shirley Baldwin of Gary, IN; God Children; Adonis Dix of Terre Haute, IN and Matthew & Ethan Mitchell of Elkridge, MD; Along with many other relatives, friends and church family. A special thanks to Unity Hospice for their services during his transition.