Merlin C. Hicks

Merlin C. Hicks, 96, of Iron Mountain, passed away on Monday, December 10, 2018 at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital. He was born November 26, 1922 in Iron Mountain, son of the late Stanley and Lillian (Pollard) Hicks. Merlin graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1941 and went on to attend Green Bay Business College. He was drafted into the US Army in 1943 and served as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division during WWII. He was stationed in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan and was honorably discharged in 1946. Upon returning to the states, Merlin attended Michigan State University and then worked in Milwaukee for 6 years prior to returning to the area in 1954. He married Julie Anne Kusmitch on August 20, 1949 and they raised eight children together. Julie preceded Merlin in death on June 8, 1987. He then married Kathleen Carlson on April 9, 1990 and she preceded him in death on March 2, 2005. Merlin was a hard worker and had a wide range of jobs over the years, sometimes multiple jobs at a time. He did electrical, plumbing, and office work. He was a true, “Jack of all Trades”, and a skilled craftsman. In the mid 1960’s he took a position with the United States Postal Service where he was employed for 20 years, retiring in 1985. He was an avid sports fan following the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Tigers, and the Michigan State Spartans. He bowled league for many years and enjoyed trout fishing. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. He liked to take trips out west with his family which included Montana, and most recently in the last 2 years, Arizona and Idaho. Dad was always willing to go on another adventure. Dad had a great sense of humor and kept us all laughing. He was a generous, kind man, who would do anything for his family. Dad referred to himself as the “old fella”. Like Dad always said, “I’ll see you when I see you”. He is survived by seven children; sons, Jeff (Patricia) Hicks of DePere, WI, Dennis Hicks of Iron Mountain, Steven (Cenia) HIcks of Kingston, ID, daughters; Carrie (Greg) Kelm of Sobieski, WI, Mary (Mark) Wenzel of Aurora, WI, Anne Hicks of Iron Mountain, and Jeanine (Tom) Graham of Prescott Valley, AZ, two step-daughters, Joan Garvin and Judy Washburn, both of Albuquerque, NM; a sister, Carol (Tom) Bates of Kingsford; a brother, Gordon Hicks of Kingsford; grandchildren, Andrew Hicks, Aric (Amber) Hicks, Adam & Travis Kelm, Jaclyn (Robert) Enriquez, Terese (Ajay Madhani) Wenzel, Mackenzie & Jenna Graham, and Gerson Cruz; two step-grandchildren, Kara & Scott; and several nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to his parents and spouses, Merlin was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Hicks; a brother, Thomas “Stanley” (Winifred) HIcks; and two sisters, Ethel (Warren) Lidbeck and Betty (David) Forcey. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 18 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:30 am at St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church. Fr. Janusz Romanek will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Merlin Hicks online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Merlin C. Hicks

November 26, 1922 - December 10, 2018