Maurice J Hickerson

Maurice Junior Hickerson, 94, of Avon, IL, died at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Illinois, on June 22, 2022.  He was born May 9, 1928, in Sample, Kentucky, to Judson W. and Cora Mae (Hook) Hickerson.  He spent his early years in Kentucky and the rural Cameron-Abingdon area, graduating from Shortsville School in rural Warren County.

On June 5, 1949, he married Margaret Wilson at the Avon Federated Church.  She survives.  They are the parents of five daughters:  Rosemarie (Jeff) Elam, Macomb; Valerie (Phil) Lawson, St. Augustine; Pamela Swartz (deceased); Maurissa (Pete) Watson, Tyler, Texas; Angela Hickerson (Mary Hillebrand), Madison, Wisconsin. Also surviving are nine grandchildren:  John (Leigh) Russell; Erica (Al) Blair; Sean Elam (Greg Peterson); Tim Lawson; Tom (Alexis) Lawson; Ashley (Shane) Bradberry; Arielle Sloan; Catherine “Lucy” Hillebrand; and Ben Hillebrand.  Maurice also had seven great-grandchildren.  Preceding him in death were his parents, daughter Pamela, and son-in-law Pete Watson; half-brothers Logan, Huston, Monroe, and Burhman, brothers Floyd, Richard, and Harold, and sisters Reba Cook and Juanita, who died in infancy.

Maurice worked for area farmers after graduation, served three years in the Illinois National Guard, and then enlisted in the Air Force. He served from 1951 to 1955, stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming, at F.E. Warren AF base and in Alaska at Eielson AF base.

He was employed by Briggs Manufacturing Company in Abingdon, where he worked as a caster until he retired in 1990.  He belonged to the Machinists Union and served as a Union steward. In addition, he worked evening shifts for many years at the Avon Farmer’s Elevator.

For ten of their retirement years, Maurice and Margaret worked at the John Babcock Orchard west of Avon, pruning trees and picking apples. Maurice was a member of the Avon Lions Club; member, board member, and maintenance man at the Avon Federated Church; and an Avon volunteer firefighter and ambulance driver for many years. He was a dedicated blood donor, donating 173 times for a total of more than 21 gallons of blood.

Maurice’s hobbies included searching for morel mushrooms, fishing in Wisconsin, and hunting.  He was known to raise a bountiful garden, sharing his crops with many, and he loved participating in the Avon Fat Steer Show vegetable competitions.  His annual catfish fry was enjoyed by many friends and family.  He helped Margaret maintain a bluebird trail in Fulton and Warren counties for many years.  His beloved screened-in front porch was a favorite place to watch people and trains and nap on his swing.

Maurice never missed a sporting event in which his daughters participated. He played on the Briggs baseball and bowling teams, and he took great joy in seeing the Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series.