Ronald Lee Hickman

Ronald Lee Hickman, age 73, passed away July 11, 2016 at Hospice Franciscan Communities in Crown Point, Indiana. Ron was born in Rensselaer, Indiana on May 8, 1943, the son of Lois Juanita (Bowman) and John Riley Hickman. He was a lifetime resident, graduating with the Class of 1961 from Rensselaer High School. On November 22, 1964, in Remington, Indiana, Ron married his sweetheart, Nita Rochelle Thurston who survives. He was a member of the Indiana National Guard and was discharged from the United States Army in 1969. Ron was employed as a regional sales manager with Jay’s Foods from where he retired after 30 years of employment. For seven years, Ron & Nita owned and operated the former Hickman’s Ice Cream Parlor in Rensselaer. He most recently worked as a deliveryman for the Rensselaer NAPA Auto Parts store. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Rensselaer where he was a member of the Good News Puppet’s puppeteer team and served as the church custodian. Ron loved sports and enjoyed serving as the longtime scoreboard operator for the Rensselaer Middle School and Rensselaer High School football teams. He had been instrumental in establishing the first youth basketball program in Rensselaer, which continues for local boys and girls. Ron was a member of the Prairie Lodge #125 F. & AM. Ron is survived by his loving wife Nita, their four children, Daniel Lee (Alicia) Hickman of Rensselaer, Sherry Kay (Chris) Schmidt of Crown Point, Ind., Kenneth Riley (Jodi) Hickman of Rensselaer and Chad (Leanne) Hickman of Indianapolis, Ind., twelve grandchildren, Andrew, Lucas, Amanda, Hunter, Tobey, Cole, Rachel, Molly, Riley, Jonathon, Eli and Shane and his pet parakeet, Tony. He was preceded in death by his parents. Friends will be received at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer on Friday, July 15, 2016 from 2:00 - 8:00 P.M. CDT with Masonic Lodge services at 7:30 P.M. Funeral services will be held at the Trinity United Methodist Church of Rensselaer on Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 10:30 A.M. CDT with Pastor John Hostetter officiating. Burial will follow at Weston Cemetery in Rensselaer. Memorials may be given to the Trinity United Methodist Church, Rensselaer, 107 E. Angelica Street, Rensselaer, IN 47978.

Ronald Lee Hickman

May 8, 1943 - July 11, 2016