Irene E. Hickman

Irene E. Hickman went quietly to Heaven to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, April 17, 2015 at Bortz Health Care Facility in Petoskey.

            Irene Ellen (Johnston) Hickman was born October 20, 1913 to Robert Roy and Mary Elizabeth (Sheffield) Johnston near Good Hart, MI. She grew up on her family's farm on State Road, north of Harbor Springs. She attended a country school and then graduated at age 16 from Harbor Springs High School. She attended college in Marquette, MI. and then at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, MI. She became a teacher and taught in one-room school houses.

            She was teaching school in Joy Valley in Springvale Township when she met Herbert C. Hickman. They were married on June 20, 1937, and had been married almost 69 years when Herb passed away. They lived on a farm in Bear Creek Townsip. Many residents of the area and "summer people" will remember Irene for the produce she raised in her garden and sold either at the farm or at Farmer's Market. She took great pride in providing a wonderful variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Her family and friends also remember her special homemade baked goods topped off with homemade butter. Irene had a gift of hospitality. No one visited her home without being offered a cup of coffee along with a special homemade treat. Her grandchildren knew there was always a treat for them when they visited Grandma Hickman's house.

            Irene and Herb were members of The Salvation Army and she continued to teach children in Sunday School.

            Irene is survived by her children Jerry L. (Jo) Hickman, Iris E. (David) Lesh and Robert D. (Susan) Hickman and daughters-in-law, Judith Vroman and Edith Hickman. She is also survived by grandchildren, Debra (Mark) VandenBrink, Steve Hickman, Sharon (Rob) Howery, Kathy (Kam) Culbertson, Carrie (Bart) Crawford, Scott (Thelma) Hickman, Jodi Schroeder, Jeffrey (Angie) Lesh, Jamie (Tony) Fox, Breanna Thompson, Krista Hickman and Kyle Hickman. She also has 18 great-grandchildren.

            She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; two sons, Rodney J. and Herbert Douglas; her parents; brothers Elmer, Earl, Roy, Sam and Marvin Johnston; and sisters, Berta Mathews and Edna Swiss.

            Irene was a teacher and the lessons she taught her family and others around her will be remembered and passed on. She worked hard and took pride in a job well done. She showed love and concern for all those with whom she came in contact. She always taught, "If you don't have something good to say, don't say anything."

            A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m. at Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey. Pastor Ed Warner will officiate. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 20 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Burial will take place in Joy Valley Cemetery in Springvale Township, just down the road from the school where she taught.

            Memorial contributions in Irene's name are asked to be directed to The Salvation Army, Bortz Health Care Facility or a charity of your choice.

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