Ronald E. Hicks
February 19, 1952 – November 29, 2022
A memorial gathering will be held on Monday evening, December 5, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. At 6:00 p.m. friends will be given an opportunity to share remembrances of Ron. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, in c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 70, passed away Tuesday evening, November 29, 2022. Ron was born in Kalamazoo on February 19, 1952, the son of Ronald Irving and Celia (Sager) Hicks. On September 23, 1978, he married Jeanne Michalka who survives him. Ron was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He also liked hockey. Ron was an animal whisperer, and he loved his pets, especially Thomas, his dog. Nothing was more important to him than his family. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Kaitie (Chris) O’Connor of Farmington, CT, and Alex Hicks of Kalamazoo; grandson, Oliver O’Connor; siblings, Sharon Hicks, Steve (Nancy) Hicks, Carol Hicks, Deborah (Jack) Pellow, Patricia (Todd) Rankinen; father-in-law, Ralph Michalka; brother-in-law, Jim Michalka; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Thomas Hicks; and his mother-in-law.
On behalf of the Kalamazoo Valley Over Thirty Hockey league, we would like to express our deepest sympathies for the passing of our friend Ron. He was a part our hockey family for many years. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We will miss you Ron.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to Jeanne, Katie & Alex. I was so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. I first met Ron when I joined the Wings Stadium Men’s Adult Hockey league back in the fall of 1974. We have been friends ever since. We had played on the same teams and against each other throughout the years in the local men’s hockey leagues and the Kalamazoo Valley Over-30 hockey league. The last several years working with him with his involvement with the Over-30 hockey league as the league scorekeeper/scoreboard operator and myself as a board member of the league. The Over-30 hockey league will miss his presence and I will miss his friendship and our chats after games.
We will all miss Ron. He was a fighter and inspiration.
Those we love, don’t go away, they walk beside us every day… Unseen, unheard, but always near. So loved, so missed, so very dear. My thoughts are with you and your family during this time. Sue Schiele
Jeanne and family, I’m sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. Ron was a great guy and always enjoyed seeing him when he visited Dr. Doyle’s office and my Pro Med office. Hugs and prayers for you all. Tom Dutton