Judith "Judie" A. Hicks

Judith “Judie” Ann Hicks, 90, of Marshall, passed away with her beloved family by her side on Sunday, April 21^st, 2024.

Judie was born on the family farm in Olney, Illinois, on July 29^th, 1933, to Clarence and Grace Bauman.  Judie married the love of her life, Byron “Bud” Hicks, on October 6^th, 1951.  They enjoyed nearly 72 years of marriage prior to his death in August of 2023.   Judie is survived by her cherished daughter, Lonnie (Monte) Starkweather, granddaughters Kellie (Brad) Janousek and Jessie (Kevin) McClelland, and two treasured great-grandsons Ryder and Hayden McClelland.  She is also survived by extended family members and many wonderful friends.

Judie spent her early childhood on the Bauman family farm in Olney.  There she loved farm life and animals, especially her lambs, Bunny and Blackie, as well as her dog, Pat.  The family moved to Battle Creek for job opportunities.  Judie graduated from Battle Creek Central where she met her dear friends, Jackie, Carolyn and Pat.  They all took turns being bridesmaids in each other’s weddings and remained lifelong friends and travel companions.

Judie and Bud met through her older brother Bill.   They married in 1951.  In the early years of she and Bud’s marriage, she spent her time making a home.  Then she held her most important job – mom to Teddie, Lonnie and Danny.  Her family was always first and the most important thing in her world.

In 1971, Judie attended the dental hygienist program at KCC.  Working at picking teeth cooties in offices in Battle Creek, Marshall and Albion.  In addition to work, she focused on raising her daughter with tremendous strength and determination following tragic loss.   The Hicks family could be found snowmobiling in winter and by the pool with friends in the summer.  Pool parties at the Hicks were the hottest ticket in town as Judie was the “hostess with the mostest”!

Judie always excelled at baking and cooking.  Her apple pies were legendary and a staple of many family dinners.  She also perfected her “bunny” and “snowman” pancake making skills at many overnight breakfasts for her granddaughters.

An animal lover at heart, Judie always had a critter.   She loved Golden Retrievers and German Shepards.  The ultimate “guard dog” was her beloved Newfoundland, Barney.  The Hicks’ home also had its fair share of yellow cats through the years.

Judie was an avid antique collector; particularly, Tea Leaf ironstone which she remembered from her grandma’s dinner table.  Her “Harelooms” antique booth kept her busy after her retirement in 1995.  Bud and Judie spent time traveling to auctions as well as Tea Leaf National Conventions.  They often traveled to old car events and took tours with friends.  Many times, the “girls” were brought along for the ride.   Bud and Judie retired to Zephyr Hills and enjoyed time shuffling in the sunshine with all their Valleydale friends.   Many evenings were spent with glasses of wine over SkipBo and Euchre.

Ryder and Hayden were “grandma-great’s” pride and joy.   Judie was always prepared with ice cream and trips to the zoo with her special guys.

Judie was preceded in death by Bud, her parents, brothers Willard (Bill) Bauman and James Bauman, sister Bonnie Greene, and her sons Theodore “Ted” Hicks in 1969 and Daniel Hicks in 1957.  Visitation will be Wednesday, April 24 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services where the family will be present from 6-8pm.  Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, April 25 at 11am.   Interment will follow at Hicks Cemetery in Pennfield with a gathering of friends and family immediately after.   Memorial contributions can be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or Pawsibilities Animal Rescue of Eaton County.

A special thank you to all the wonderful caregivers at the Villa at Winston Court for all of the love and support that you provided both Judie and Bud.