SYRACUSE – Donald W. “Don” Hicks, 58, Syracuse, passed away at 7:20 p.m. April 21, 2015, at his residence. He was born April 1, 1957, in War, W. Va., to John L. and Ethel M. Hicks Hicks. On Dec. 22, 1980, in Milford, he married Lillie “Diane” Blackburn, who survives in Syracuse. He moved to the Kendallville area in the 1970s from West Virginia and to the Syracuse/Milford area in 1980. He attended Berwind Public Schools in McDowell County, W. Va., and served in the U.S. Army. He retired as an auto body repair and RV technician. He formerly worked for Fox RV, Middlebury, and Mike’s Customer Auto Body. Bremen. He attended Word of Truth Ministries, Milford. Also surviving are three daughters: Jessica Elizabeth Hicks, Georgetown, S.C.; Tamara (and spouse Jamison) Tanner, Leesburg; and Michelle (and spouse Chad) Dailing, Milford; two sons, Shane Eric (and spouse Brittany) Blackburn, Warsaw, and Paul David Johnson, Elkhart; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandson; two brothers, David Hicks, Syracuse, and Roger (and spouse Julie) Hicks, Osceola; three sisters: Glenora (and spouse Marcus) Rose, Ashland, Ky.; Nola Marshall, North Webster; Patricia Roston, Washington; two stepsisters; and three stepbrothers. He was preceded in death by his parents; a twin brother, Ronald; a sister, Norma Gentry; two brothers, Bud Benton and Richard “Ricky” Goodyear; two stepsisters; and one stepbrother. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, with Pastor Mike and Dee Kelley of the church officiating. Burial is in Milford Cemetery. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Word of Truth Ministries Church, 210 E. Catherine St., Milford, IN 46542; or Southern Care Hospice, 310 W. McKinley Suite 340, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent via www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com
