A memorial service will begin at 5:00pm on Thursday, October 27, at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast at 1051 E Johnstown Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230, followed by fellowship until 8pm.
Born in Arlington, Virginia, to U.S. Army Major Warren H. and Barbara J. Voss on February 21, 1947, Elizabeth Jane Voss was the eldest of two children. As her father was deployed to various posts during their childhood, they spent time at a base in Frankfurt, Germany, where Chris was born, and Liz learned the German language. They also spent time in Burton-on-Trent, England, her mother’s hometown, while her father fought in the Korean War.
The Voss family returned to the States and eventually settled in Warren, Ohio, where Liz graduated from Howland High School at age 17. She briefly attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, but changed course and moved back home to Warren. She soon married her then-and-only husband, Floyd Wicks III, and they started their family right away. Liz supported Floyd in finishing his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at OSU, and they eventually settled in Sharon, PA to raise their 3 children, Sonny, John, & Cathy. After Liz and Floyd divorced, Liz and the kids moved to Columbus, Ohio to be closer to her parents and start anew in 1980. She was later reunited with her first-born child, Laurie, who had been adopted with the help of the Pastor from the Voss’s church, following her pregnancy by Floyd, prior to their marriage. It was a comforting meeting when they each learned that the other was safe and happy, and Laurie became an instant sister to Sonny, John, and Cathy.
Education was tremendously important to Liz, and she instilled those values deeply into her children, making it one of her life goals to see all three of her kids graduate from college. She accomplished that and then some, when she earned her own Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University, and proudly walked with Sonny at the 1990 commencement ceremony in Ohio stadium. She further advanced her education and earned her Series 6 & 7 licenses and worked in the financial services industry for over two decades. She later practiced real estate in Ohio and Florida.
Liz was an avid reader and was fascinated by history and world cultures. She had a passion for politics and was always ready for a discussion or debate. Throughout her life, Liz volunteered for political campaigns, March of Dimes, and was on the Development Board of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a role she held with much pride. Liz was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren, and she celebrated their achievements as a continued legacy of her commitment to education and life fulfillment. Liz left a lasting impression on everyone she met and will be sorely missed by all who loved her.
Liz was preceded in death by her parents, Barbara and Warren Voss, and survived by her children, Floyd “Sonny” (Joy) Wicks IV, John (Nikki) Wicks, and Catherine “Cathy” Wicks, as well as her eldest born, Laurie (Brian) Birrenkott; her younger brother, Christopher “Chris” Voss; grandchildren Grace, Lydia, Seth, John, Jeremy, Jesse, Eve, Wyatt, Abigail, Ivan, Edie, Jason, Tyler, and Marisa; nieces and nephews, Charles “Chuckie”, Monica, Sarah, Kelly, Emma, Michael, and David; and many friends and extended family members.
We love you mom/grandma/sister/aunt/friend.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in Elizabeth’s memory to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Please send checks made payable to Nationwide Children’s Hospital to: P.O. Box 16810 Columbus, OH 43216-6810 or make gifts online at NationwideChildrens.org/Giving.
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