George "Tom" Hickey Jr.

GRAND RIDGE – George “Tom” Hickey Jr, 73, of Grand Ridge, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2015 at home.  George was born in Ottawa on February 21, 1942 to George T. Hickey Sr. and Kathleen (Halterman) Hickey.  On July 22, 1989, George married Janice L. Mattes.

He graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1961.  He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1967.  He served aboard MSO USS Prime 466 Minesweeper as Electricians Mate 3.  When he returned home from the service, George was a volunteer fireman in Grand Ridge for 10 years and he served as a Union Electrician for IBEW Local 176 and had just received his 50 year pin.

George was a very creative man; he enjoyed woodworking, painting, and drawing.  He also enjoyed the outdoors by camping with his wife, Janice, and their little dog, Myrrah, at White Oak Campground in Utica.

For six months, George battled liver cancer.  He is survived by his wife, Janice; four children, Michele (Charlie) Frandin of Ottawa, Jon (Terra) Briel of Oceanside, CA, Kim (Donald) Schmitt of Ottawa, and George Hickey III of Oglesby; seven grandchildren; and one great grandson.  He is also survived by brothers, Fred (Kathy) Hickey of Serena and James Hickey of Ottawa; and a sister, Mary Ferguson of Ottawa.  He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ruth.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Gladfelter Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park with full military rites accorded by the Ottawa Veterans Group.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be his grandson, Matthew Whitney, Gary and Kyle Boyd, Randy Smith, Jim Odell and Jim Kummer.  Honorary pallbearers will be Rachael Tipton, his granddaughter, and Mike Degand, a friend.

Memorial contributions may be directed to his wife.