Thomas L. Hicke, 79, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at Serenity Estates in Morris.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at the Marseilles Church of the Nazarene 1292 Morris Road, Marseilles, IL 61341. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation, with Rev. Bill Clark, officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa.
Thomas was born on December 11, 1945 in Ironwood, MI to the late Rev. S. F. and Beverly (Semlar) Hicke. He graduated from Astoria High School (1963) and attended Olivet Nazarene University. He married Lila M. Sanders on May 6, 1989 in Lemont, Illinois and they were blessed with 36 years of marriage. Tom was quite an accomplished musician. He played many instruments – his favorites being the bass guitar and organ, with the most unique being the saw. He wrote many beautiful songs of faith that lifted up his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In his early years, he was a member of the musical group, Sounds of Victory with his brother, Joel and sister-in-law, Cathy, blessing congregations in the Midwest with their music ministry. He enjoyed going on long drives in the country and reminiscing. He loved to talk about his times at Manville Camp. He often imparted words of wisdom that either made you laugh or roll your eyes. He was proud of his accomplishments at Midland Chicago Chemical Company (Maintenance Specialist) and UPS (External P.C. Tech—A+C+ Certified). Later in life, he faced his dementia diagnosis with bravery and honesty. He was looking forward to the day he would see his Savior face to face. He was ready!
Tom is lovingly remembered by his wife, Lila M. Hicke, of Ottawa; two sons, Thomas L. Hicke II, Robert A. (Shannon) Hicke; two step-daughters, Marci (Jim) Kahrs, Tracey (Kevin) Becker; eleven grandchildren, Jordyn, Alyssa, Kaitlyn, Phoebe, Sydney, and Natalie Hicke, Alexandra (David) Reif, Brandon Castelan, Nicole, Melina and Noelle Kahrs; three brothers, David (June) Hicke, Joel (Cathy) Hicke, Don Hicke and Shonnie; two sisters, Nancy Pilger and Judy Rugg; four sisters-in-law, Lorrie Sandel, Sandra (Bill) Miller, Barbara Dill, Marilyn Hicke; step-mother, Jean (Johnson-Hicke) Fillinger; three step-brothers, Steve, Bill, and Kevin Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. S.F. and Beverly Hicke; two daughters, Krista Jenkins, Cindi Hicke; two brothers, Tim Hicke, Alan Hicke; four brothers-in-law, Bill Pilger, Doug Rugg, John Sandel, and Paul Dill.
Pallbearers will be Jim Kahrs, Kevin Becker, Brandon Castelan, David Reif, Shawn Hicke, and Josh Hicke.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lightways Hospice in Joliet or the Marseilles Church of the Nazarene.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433