Jeffrey Lee Hickerson

Born on January 8, 1960, in Charleston, Illinois to Raymond Lee and

Margie E. (Bivin) Hickerson, He married, Susan G. Martinie, on October 22, 1983 in East

Peoria, Illinois.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Susan (with whom he celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary this

past October); son, Justin R Hickerson of Morton, IL; daughter, Caitlin L (Brenton) Hickerson -

Doughty of Burlington,WI; son, Evan J (Christina) Hickerson of Mapleton, IL; Beloved

grandchildren, Kaileigh Marie Hickerson; Jayden Lynne Hickerson; Tanner Jeffrey Hickerson; and

Elainna "Lainna" Doughty.

Jeff was a devoted husband, and loving father, whose family was his world and meant so much

to him. To his grandchildren, he is, "Papa"; a title he held proudly and from which he derived

much joy and happiness.

He also leaves his childhood friend, musician and "Best Man", Dan (Eileen) Pauli of Wisconsin;

one brother, Stephen (Dianna) Hickerson of Peoria, IL; and one sister, Andrea Byrd and his

mother, Margie, both of Pekin, Illinois.

Two sister-in laws: Beverly (Thom) Foster of Maui, HI; and Bonnie Martinie of Naperville; three

nephews and two nieces.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, "Ray", from whom Jeff learned to play the guitar and

with whom he performed for various events before moving to Central Illinois; one brother-in-law

of Boston, Massachuttes; and both Father- and Mother-in-law, E. Darrell and T. June Martinie of

East Peoria, IL; and a rich history of Beloved Relatives from both the Hickerson and Bivin

families and the Martinie and Baughman families.

He attended his elementary school years in Madison, WI; and his freshman year of high school

at Hempsted in Dubuque, Iowa, after which the Hickerson family moved to Illinois, where Jeff

graduated three years later (1978) from East Peoria Community High School "EPCHS", where

he met Susan Martinie in 1977; attributing their introduction to coach, "Fritz" Millard.

Jeff was among the first employees to be hired by Eagle Foods Center through a Co-operative

work program initiated through EPCHS (near 1976 - 1977) whereby an early dismissal schedule

was approved; Mr Folkenroth was his academic counselor. Jeff continued working for Eagle

Foods for a short time after graduating from H.S.

He attended Illinois Central College and he was employed by the college graphics/printing

department (Marilyn Englebrecht was Department Chair) while earning his Associates degree.

Jeff worked for Lens and Camera; and A-M "Multigraphics" of Springfield. Jeff had developed a

solid foundation for not only operating and repairing printing and image lab machines, He

learned the technical skills of transporting and installing massive industrial equipment while

working with Lens and Camera.

Between 1995 - 1996, Jeff negotiated the purchase of the building, from which he operated

Horizon Graphics, and installed a four-color Heidelburg printing press, and offered imaging and

bindery services while continuing to service equipment operated by corporate business. Jeff was referred to as a "Printer's Printer", though he never stopped learning and adapting his technical knowledge with Internet Technology.

Jeff was always the first to acknowledge, he would not have been as successful without the

support of his family. He was ready to enjoy life and to focus on their next adventure, which

was always about bringing family and friends together.