Johnny Hicks, 46

Johnny D. Hicks, age 46, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

He was born March 16, 1967, in Sturgis, a son of the late Vernon and Gracie (Huff) Hicks.

Johnny was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1985.

For the past year, he was employed by Lippert Components in Middlebury, Ind. Prior to joining Lippert, he had been employed by Morgan Olson in Sturgis for 22 years.

Johnny was a member of the Southwest Michigan Parrot Head Club and participated on the Lippert bowling and softball leagues. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf, swimming and tubing. For several years, he coached Little League Baseball and Rocket Football. Johnny was an avid fan of NASCAR and especially enjoyed following the career of Jeff Gordon. He was also a dedicated and loyal fan of the Detroit Lions.

He is survived by the love of his life and life companion, Beth Jackson; two daughters, Ashley Bowman of East Lansing and Audrey Cowan of Three Rivers; two sons, Arthur Bowman of Sturgis and Nicholas Bowman of Sturgis; a brother, Gregory Hicks of Three Rivers; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Hicks of Colon; nieces Rebecca (Shannon) Kirkestue of Colon, Elizabeth (Tony) Rodriguez of Sturgis and Kathleen Hicks of Sturgis; a great-niece, Kaylee Boyle; great nephews Jesse Rodriguez and Bryce Kirkestue; and several aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Timothy Hicks; grandmother Gladith Hall; and uncle, Ernest Hall.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Johnny Hicks will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A graveside committal will follow the service at Sturgis Memorial Gardens in Sturgis.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Johnny’s memory consider Southwest Michigan Parrot Head Club c/o: Brenda McGowan, 61201 Raintree Blvd., Sturgis, MI 49091; or St. Joseph County United Way, 660 E. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032.

His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.