Ann Marie Hicks

Ann Marie Hicks, formerly of West Liberty, KY, passed away Friday, August 18, 2023, age 68, peacefully with her family by her side at The Laurels of DeKalb in Butler, Indiana. Born September 23, 1954, at home in Ritchie, KY, to the late Cyrill and Velma Jean Hurt Ritchie. She attended school at Middle Clear Creek, at age 8, and moved to Rome City, IN. with her family and attended Rome City Elementary School. She received her high school diploma. After her school years, she worked in the kitchen at Kneipp Springs, a center for retired priests and nuns.

She met the love of her life Vernon Hicks and married on January 1st, 1969, at Salem United Baptist Church in Ligonier, IN. They settled in Rome City, IN., and started their family together. Over the years she worked at Star Craft Boats in Goshen, IN., later they moved to West Liberty, KY, where she worked in the tobacco fields and called this their forever home.

Ann loved her children, grand kids, and great-grand kids. She loved being a homemaker, crafts, quilting, fishing, gardening, and camping. Card games with family and friends were very important, playing Rook and Bean was a weekly get-together. You never knew what to expect from her. She was a jokester and the most loving, positive, and caring person we knew. She always had a beautiful smile.

Preceded in death by her parents, Cyrill & Velma Jean Hurt Ritchie,her husband Vernon Hicks on July 20,2019, and three brothers, Johnny Ballard Ritchie, Burley Ritchie, and Manuel Jacob Ritchie.

Surviving is three children, Brenda Jean Rutkowski of Butler, IN. Gary Wayne Hicks of West Liberty, KY. Vernon ‘Bucky’ Hicks Jr of Kendallville, IN.

Her siblings, Shelia & Joe Miller of Wolcottville, IN. Iva & Dwaine Shults of Owingsville, KY. Dalton Wayne Ritchie (Belinda) of Wolcottville, IN.

Four grandchildren, Haley Marie Rutkowski, Taylor Nicole Shanyfelt (Brandon),  Katlyn Renee Rutkowski, and Emily Grace Hicks. Seven great-grandchildren, Carter Centurioni, Wyatt Shanyfelt, Elena Shanyfelt, Waylon Shanyfelt, Evelyn Shanyfelt, Olivia Decker, Wesley Shanyfelt, Host of nieces and nephews and great friends.

Ann Hicks called The Laurels of DeKalb her final home on earth. The staff were like family. The care and love they gave my mother will never be forgotten. She loved you all.

The funeral service will be 1:00 pm, Tuesday, August 22, 2023, in Herald & Stewart & Halsey Chapel with Brother Arthur Holland and Brother Rick Wright officiating. Interment in Riggsby Family Cemetery, West Liberty, KY. Visitation will be 6:00 pm, Monday, August 21, 2023, at Herald & Stewart & Halsey Funeral Home, West Liberty, KY.

Pallbearers are Vernon 'Bucky' Hicks Jr, Gary Hicks, Katlyn Rutkowski, Tonycka Shepherd, and other family.

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