John H Hicks

John H. Hicks, 91, of Greensburg passed away on November 24, 2012 at Morning Breeze. He was born on September 8, 1921, son of Roy M. and Anna Newman Hicks at Napoleon, Ripley County, Indiana. He graduated from Napoleon High School in 1940 and started a career in public utilities with Hoosier Public Utilities in Greensburg, Indiana. Mr. Hicks served three and a half years in the Armed Forces during WWII spending fifteen months overseas in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre earning him the Asiatic Pacific medal with three bronze stars, Philippine Liberation with one bronze star, American Theatre World War II Victory and Army Good Conduct decorations. During his utilities career, he served the following companies and localities: Hoosier Public Utilities, Greensburg; Indiana Gas and Water, Inc., Greensburg; Aurora Utilities, Aurora; Indiana Cities Water Corp., Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and Noblesville; Springs Valley Regional Water District, French Lick, West Baden where he retired in 1988 as manager. John was a lifetime member of the American Water Works Association; he served as past Vice President and President of the South East District of the Indiana section and also served on various state section committees. He received the John N. Hurdy Service Award from the Indiana State Board of Health for 25, 30, and 35 years of service to the water works industry and received an award for service from Springs Valley Water District. Mr. Hicks received the Gold Water Drop Award from the American Water Works Association for fifty years of membership and was also recognized by the Springs Valley Water Board for his many years of public service. Mr. Hicks became a Master Mason in 1945 at High Twelve Lodge #82, Manila Philippines and received the Scottish Rite degrees in Indianapolis in 1947. He was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel, and was a twenty-five year member of the Rotary Club in Aurora, Indiana where he served in various offices including past President and Director. He was a member of the American Legion Post #129 in Greensburg. He married Anna E. Linville on March 4, 1949 in Greensburg. She preceded him in death on February 18, 1998. He is survived by a son, Daniel C. (Frances) Hicks of Cookeville, Tennessee and a daughter, Mary Ellen (Sean) Barrett of Indianapolis, two grandchildren, Jason and Ashleigh Hicks, two step-grandchildren, Matthew Barrett and Meredith (Justin) Williams and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Gertrude Hicks, Belle King, Christine Smith, Ruth Martin, Marjorie Reed, and one brother, Vern Hicks. A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. One hour of visitation prior to the Funeral Services on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Danny Wolford will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Springhill Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Decatur County Hospice in memory of Anna Hicks or to the Napoleon Central House, P.O. Box 154, Napoleon, Indiana 47034, In memory of John Hicks. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com