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Don Hickman Obituary
Don Hickman
SPRINGFIELD - Don Hickman, 74, of Springfield, passed away at 3:49 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at St. John's Hospital.
Don was born September 1, 1937 in Trenton, TN, the son of Reese and Janie Maude Hickman. He married Betty Baltz on January 5, 1962 in Rutherford, TN.
Don proudly served his country in the Tennessee National Guard. He began his journalism career working with the Dixie Network in Tennessee in 1956. He earned a position as the evening news anchor for the network two years later. He then moved to Memphis where he worked for WMC-TV covering stories such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination and the "James Meredith Enrollment" at the University of Mississippi. After winning the coveted "Journalist of the Year Award," he became a correspondent for NBC News in Chicago. He also worked as a reporter and newscaster for KSTP in Minneapolis. Don is best known for his 29 years as a newscaster at WICS in Springfield where he produced several projects earning him many awards, including a national Emmy nomination for his "Living with AIDS" documentary. In 2001, he earned an honorary doctorate degree from MacMurray College for Public Service. In 2004, he co-founded Springfield Scene Magazine, a publication focusing on local charities and community events.
Don took great pride in his annual charity golf outings, which raised thousands of dollars for various organizations throughout central Illinois. Don enjoyed golfing, reading and spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Betty of Springfield; sons, Barry (wife, Christina) of Springfield and Todd (wife, Dawn) of Edmond, OK; grandchildren, Stephanie, Hallie, Ryan, Maggie, Hunter and Jackson; sister, Pam Flowers of Rutherford, TN; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 E. Spruce St., Chatham with Rev. John Nolan officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Don Hickman Memorial Fund, c/o Town and Country Bank, 1925 S. MacArthur, 62704.
Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Don Hickman
Fred Hickman
November 25, 2011
Don was a friend, a colleague, a mentor, and among the finest journalists I've ever known. Much of what I've achieved in my career, I owe to Don. God bless Betty, Barry and the entire Hickman family.
Kathy DeCroix
November 24, 2011
I grew up watching Don on tv. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, the loss of a family member is never easy. He will live on in your heart and soul. God bless!
Stephanie Beneky
November 23, 2011
Don Hickman rescued my bicycle when I was little and someone had taken off on it...
Godspeed!
Shirley Theilen
November 23, 2011
Betty
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family
Monica Wilson
November 22, 2011
My deepest sympathies go out to you for your loss. I knew Don when I worked nightside at Channel 20 as a videographer and later I worked camera when he appeared on Access 4 at UIS. When I'd come in to work at Channel 20 I'd always peek my head in Don's office and say hi, he'd smile back at me and wink. I pray God bless & heal your hearts and that you might find comfort in knowing he meant so much to so many.
Brian & Kellie Cozadd
November 22, 2011
Betty
You, the boys and your entire family are in our prayers.
Sharon Gowin
November 22, 2011
Don was a class act. A wonderful boss to my daughter when she was only in high school. Thanks for the memories you have given all of us.
Chuck Beveridge
November 22, 2011
My condolences to the Hickman family. I grew up watching Don, and it was a thrill to eventually get to work for him. He had a great, dry sense of humor, and was a valued mentor to those of us just starting out. He leaves us all with great memories.
Alice Tyus-Winters
November 22, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Leslie Ann (Barregarye) Dinora
November 22, 2011
To Betty, Barry & Todd and the entire Hickman family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of loss.
Don was a very nice man and it was my pleasure to know him.
God Bless you all!
Randy E. Blue
November 22, 2011
To the Hickman family,
Don and I met when we served on the Springfield Airport Authority together. We became friends and I always found him to be a good and honorable man. He made a big mark on this community and will be greatly missed. My sympathies to all of you.
Shirley Egelhoff
November 22, 2011
Prayers and Thoughts to the Hickman Family at this time.
Pamela & Harry Skaggs-Stark
November 22, 2011
The Hickman Family,
I'm sorry for your loss. Don was a great man. He will always be remembered on this earth. He is now your special Guardian Angel. R.I.P. Don.
Madeline Landes
November 21, 2011
To Betty and the Hickman family,
I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. My mother worked with Don for many years and because of this I was granted the privledge and opprotunity of meeting and getting to know Don. Don was an exemplary individual that served as a mentor and and role model to many of us. May God bless and comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
Mary Ruth Landes
November 21, 2011
To Betty and the Hickman family,
I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. What a privledge it was to work with Don and to be able to call him a friend. He always had a story and was always quick to offer a smile. May God provide you and your family with comfort during this time of sorrow.
Mary Ruth Landes
Clatence " C-Note" Davis- a.k.a Fodizzle
November 21, 2011
Don will greatly be missed by all in Central Illinois. He was more than just a great newsman but a man who loved Springfield. Springfield will never be the same but is a better place because of his dedication to the people. I became a newsman and broadcaster because of him.
Craig Kennedy and Family
November 21, 2011
Betty, Barry and Todd, Sorry to hear about Don's passing. I enjoyed my time at WICS 20 with him in the news room. I will never forget Don loved to say loudly from his office when there were too many of us reporters at our desk's...."There's no news in the news room !" Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linley and Rebecca White
November 21, 2011
Deepest sympathy to the Hickman family.
Nick Penning
November 21, 2011
Don saved my career in '74, when he hired me after the paper let me go. I am so sorry, Betty. You've lost your dear husband. Springfield has lost a man of great character, who loved his community.
Julie Austin Campbell
November 21, 2011
My deepest sympathies for your loss. Don was the epitome of southern gentleman. Always so engaging and so charming. I learned much from this remarkable man and feel honored to have known him.
Dawn Boyer
November 21, 2011
Betty, I am so sorry for your loss. I will remember Don as being kind, funny, generous, warm and a great storyteller. I loved his deep, booming voice and his laugh. It was always the highlight of my evening at Spfld Scene parties if I could make him laugh. He'll be missed. My heart goes to out to you and your family.
Les Vann
November 21, 2011
Betty, Barry, Todd, Shannon and I are so sorry for your loss. It is a loss for all of Springfield as well. I look forward to seeing you this week.
Best,
Les Vann
Tony Libri
November 21, 2011
Don Hickman was a mentor, friend and was like a big brother to me for many years. The Libri family will keep Don and the Hickman family in our prayers. God Bless you all. Don, we will all miss you.
David Ishizaki
November 21, 2011
To the Hickman family I would like to take this opportunity to say How sorry I feel to hear of the loss of Don, I moved here in 1978 and have remained here since. I and my wife would like to express our heart felt sympathies and wish you the best wishes for the holidays and again our deepest sorrows for the loss of your father, husband brother and friend to everyone . My wife and I will miss him.
Michele Wilson & Family
November 21, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Willie Nerone
November 21, 2011
My deepest sympathy to the gran children of Don Hickman. I knew your grandfather and I like everyone that knew him , loved and cherished him. He was one of the most wonderful men I knew. He was so proud of each and every one of you and he loved you so. I will hold you close in my prayers and thoughts. I am so happy to have known your grand dad.
willie nerone
DoraLee & Chris Durham
November 21, 2011
To The Hickman Family: Our Deepest Sympathies and prayers for your family. We are sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was a GREAT INSPIRATION to us all. He will be sorely missed. We will forever remember him and his cheerful disposition. God Bless your family at this time of loss. DoraLee & Chris Durham, Glinda Kratzer - Springfield, IL
November 21, 2011
RIP. Don and you're going to be missed!
Former viewer and spoke to when out in public... To the family the condolences and prayers are with you at this time and especially with the holiday seasons around the corner its hard and as I know from my family prespective, but memories are always good ones to cherrish.
Former viewer
November 21, 2011
I am saddened to hear of Don's passing. He was a mentor to many and a friend on television who brought credibility and compassion.
May God bless and comfort the Hickman family.
Sean Streaty. Decatur, IL
Pam Molitoris
November 21, 2011
We were so sorry to hear about Don. When I think about him, it will always make me smile. He seemed to have that effect on all of us. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Linda Waldron
November 21, 2011
Betty and family - Don was truly a treasure for you and many others - we actualy met you both many, many years ago at a charity event and since have seen you both at other events. Your generous giving back to the community and volunteering will always be remembered especially Don's great smile. Our prayers are with you and your family Don will truly be missed. Linda & Randy Waldron (Charleston, Il)
Marlene Robinson
November 21, 2011
Betty ~
You and your family are in my prayers.
Lovingly,
Bernie Goulet
November 21, 2011
To Barry and all the Hickman family - our prayers for peace at this time of loss.
Ken Dennison
November 21, 2011
Whenever I would come back to Illinois for a visit, Don was always one of the things I would look forward to watching whenever I was there. He was truly a Springfield icon. He will truly be missed! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
November 21, 2011
May God bless you in your time of need. Your husband/father was a great man for this community. Prayers being said for you.
Chris Edwards
Pat (Nieland) Jones
November 21, 2011
Betty and sons, I am so sorry to hear of Dons passing. The memories we all have of Don will last. I pray that you and your sons will be Blessed during this time of sorrow.
Sharon VanDyke
November 21, 2011
Although I have never met Don, I just wanted to say how I always enjoyed to see him on the news, and loved his voice. Springfield will surely miss him! Rest in Heavenly Peace our friend
Jeff Litterst
November 21, 2011
Todd and Family,
I am very sad to hear of your Father's passing and wanted you to know you are in our prayers. He had an infectious smile and I always enjoyed his style.
November 21, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Violet Lauderdale
November 21, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss. The community has lost a great man. I will keep the family in my prayers.
Gregory Kramer
November 21, 2011
Don was the face and voice of Springfield. He will missed here on earth.
carol avery
November 21, 2011
sorry to here about his passing.i watch him on the news when i was in springfiled,ill.
Richard & Judy Zillion
November 21, 2011
Don will be greatly missed! Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
BETH BODINE
November 21, 2011
MY PRAYERS GO TO THE FAMILY OF DON HICKMAN. WHEN I TURNED ON THE NEWS I ALL WAYS SAW HIS SMILEYLING FACE.HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Tammy Brown
November 21, 2011
I never got to personally know Mr. Hickman, but enjoyed watching him on the news. I was truly sorry to hear of his passing.
Willie Nerone
November 21, 2011
Dear Betty,Barry,Chris,Todd ,Dawn and Grand children and rest of family.God has called one of his angels home.
My heart is heavy for your loss,and there are no words that can be said that will comfort you at this sad time.I can only let you that my thoughts and prayers are with and for you at your time of sorrow. May God send you a strong comforting angel for your family.As every one else , I knew and loved The Donald and He will be sadly missed.
Willie Nerone
Deborah Rabideau
November 21, 2011
It has been the upmost pleasure for me to have worked for Don for the past seven years. He has been my mentor, my friend and he and Betty have always made me feel like family. I love you both so much, and I will miss you dearly. You will forever be in my heart.
Tom Armstead
November 21, 2011
God Bless you Don and all your family.
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