Johnnie (Dace) Hicks, 84, otherwise known as Elizabeth Jane, passed away Nov. 30, 2009, at the Community Springs Healthcare Facility in El Dorado Springs. Johnnie was born the youngest child to loving parents, Elizabeth and Willard Dace, on June 6,
1925, outside of Sullivan.
When she was a little girl, her family moved to the Anthonies Mill area on the Brazil Creek. Her father and mother were farmers. Johnnie rode a horse to school with her sisters and played the guitar. She graduated from Sullivan High School and went to college in Bolivar and Pittsburgh, KS. After college she taught school in the country. During the war she worked in a weapons factory and boarded with a relative and took care of small children.
She was united in marriage to Merle Hicks in St. Louis after he came home from the War. They moved to Kansas City, lived a short time in Nevada, MO, and then lived in Aurora, CO, for about eight years. For about two years they lived in Applewood, CO, and then around 1959 moved to Bourbon, MO, with five children - Becky, Kathy, Ronnie, Alan and Bryan. About five years later they moved back to Kansas City, KS.
After the death of their beloved first child, Becky, Johnnie and Merle moved to Blackjack where they bought a little farm and later they moved into town in El Dorado Springs. Johnnie was a Christian woman. She sang and played the piano.
Johnnie’s death was preceded by her parents, Lizzie and Willard; her daughter, Rebecca; all her siblings - Ralph, Tracy, Irene, Mary, Hazel, Gertrude, Rosetta and Florence and all their spouses; two sisters-in-law and spouses; two brothers-in-law and spouses; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her loving husband, Merle; daughter, Kathleen; sons - Ronald, Alan and Bryan; grandchildren - Heather, Brigitte, Cynthia, Brent, Nathan, Josh, Rebecca, Catharine, Thomas, Joseph and John; one step-grandchild, Jordan; six great-grandchildren - Bryan, Timothy, Sarah and Gabriel, Estella and Magena; and one great-great-grandchild, Kaya; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews, two sisters-in-law, Gladys and Ruthene; three daughters-in-law - Terry, Judith and Carol; a former son-in-law, Kenny; and many wonderful friends from all over the country.
She was a sweet, sweet woman and we loved her. She will be missed.
Services were held Friday, Dec. 4, in Sheldon Chapel with Frank Haynes officiating. Music was Whispering Hope and Will There Be Any Stars by Jim and Mary Luster, Amazing Grace by Heather McBride, and I’ll Fly Away and This Is Not My Home by Brigitte McBride accompanied by Pianist Rita Farris.
Interment was in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville.
Arrangements were by Sheldon Funeral Home in El Dorado Springs.
