Edward J. Hicken, age 85, of West Bend, passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at St. Joseph's Hospital in the Town of Polk.
Ed was born on June 7, 1927, in Fond du Lac, to the late Edward and Nellie (nee Little) Hicken. He grew up on a farm in rural Fond du Lac and graduated from Fond du Lac High School in the class of 1944. He was drafted and inducted into the United States Army on August 3, 1945. He was honored and proud to serve his country as part of the "Occupation Forces" in France and Germany during early post World War II. Ed worked as a company clerk for the 541st Quarter Master Base Depot in Reims, France, then as Court Secretary for military judges in Giessen, Germany and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. Ed was discharged on June 11, 1947 and went on to serve in the army reserves for six more years until April 1953.
Ed studied radio technology and repair at DeVry Institute, attended MSOE's electrical engineering department and continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he met his future wife, Mary. On December 27, 1952, he was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Leverich at St. John's Lutheran church in Sparta, WI. Together they made their home in Madison where Ed worked for Evans Radio and TV, performing radio and television repair. In 1955, they moved to West Bend and began Loomans & Hicken TV & Appliance with his good friend and business partner, David Loomans. The business provided sales and service for radios, stereos, televisions, major home appliances, and other home electronics to the greater West Bend and Hartford areas. In 1976, when David Loomans retired, Ed took over sole ownership of the business and it became Hicken TV & Appliance until he retired in 1984.
He was a member of the Jaycees, West Bend Chamber of Commerce, Lt. Ray Dickop American Legion Post #36, and Hon-E-Kor Golf Course. Ed enjoyed golfing, going to daily coffee meetings with his friends, fishing, flying RC planes, woodworking, and tinkering in his workshop to repair most anything.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Hicken of West Bend; three sons, Jeffery (Linda) Hicken of Madison, Michael (Sheila) Hicken of Rochester, MN, and Thomas (Laurie) Hicken of Allenton; five grandchildren, Sarah, Graham, Brianna, Amelia and Alyssa Hicken; three brothers-in-law, James (Elaine) Leverich, Robert (Claire) Leverich, and Robert (Shirley) Cuff; niece, Judy Cuff; many other loving nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marian Cuff, and sister-in-law, Sara Leverich Funeral services in remembrance of Ed will be held on Friday, August 24th at 3:00 p.m. at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, 809 S. 6th Avenue, West Bend with Vicar David Kellerman officiating. Full military honors will follow the service. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be Saturday in Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice are greatly appreciated by the family.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Mosley, Dr. Smale, and the caring and supportive staff at St. Joseph's Hospital.