Donald Rex Hickox (63) of Newton

Donald Rex Hickox, age 63, of Newton, Illinois, left this world and entered his Heavenly home at 12:22 PM – Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating Don’s life will be held at 3:00 PM – Tuesday, October 9 at the First Baptist Church in Newton, Illinois, with Roger Hillis officiating. Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will held 4:00-7:00 PM – Monday at the church and ½ hour before the service. In loving memory of Don, memorials may be made to Don’s Grandchildren’s Education Fund that Grampy started for each one of them. Memorials may be mailed to Jeanette Hickox 305 Sycamore Street Newton, Illinois 62448.  Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.  The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here. 

Donald Rex better known as “Don” entered this world on April 2, 1955, at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.  He was the third of eight children, born to Rex and the late Rose Mary (Snearley) Hickox. Don married Jeanette Louise Waddell on April 9, 1977, at the First Baptist Church in Newton, Illinois, after first meeting at the Newton IGA.  They recently celebrated their 41st Wedding Anniversary, by enjoying a Caribbean cruise together.

Don was the proud father of 4 daughters: Jessica (Travis) Hall of Newton, Illinois; Kayla (Josh) Ritzel of Port Orange, Florida; Amanda (Jeremiah) Bear of Ormond Beach, Florida and Veronica (Brandon) Simpson of Marshall, Illinois.  Don was the extremely proud Grampy to 9 granddaughters and 3 grandsons: Jessilyn, Jailyn, Jenna Jac, and Tretyn Hall, Natalee, Levi and Malachi Ritzel, Amalie, Riane and Lyla Bear and Layka and Larkyn Simpson.

Don is also survived by his father Rex Hickox, of Yale, Illinois; siblings Ilene (Carroll) Stinson of Casey, Illinois; Anita (Rick) Wattleworth of Yale, Illinois; Dale (Dixie) Hickox of Casey, Illinois; David (Jan) Hickox of Casey, Illinois; Darrel (Linda) Hickox of Yale, Illinois; Rowena Warren of New Braunfels, Texas; and Danny (Monica) Hickox of Casey, Illinois. Also, his Mother-in-law, Fontella Waddell of Neoga, Illinois. He was an uncle to 22 nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

Don was preceded in death by his mother Rose Mary Hickox, father-in-law Jack Waddell, niece Katie Stinson, brother-in-law Tony Warren and his grandparents.

During his life here on this Earth, he left a legacy that will never be forgotten. Don never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face.  He could easily make anyone smile. He always had a joke to tell and enjoyed teasing and playing with everyone. He was always willing to lend a hand to others and was a “fix it all” handyman.  He took pride in working with his own hands, including having built much of his own home. He found joy in his parachute plane and farming with his family. He enjoyed watching wildlife, feeding his chickens, ducks, deer, etc.  There was nothing that he did, that he didn’t enjoy doing.

As a husband, Don and Jeanette enjoyed traveling together, having gone on many vacations and long car rides, attending grandchildren’s activities and spending time with each other, even just sitting next to each other on the couch.  He proved himself as a devoted husband, who worked hard for his family and dedicated his life to living for the Lord.

Don spent much of his life raising his 4 daughters.  Hours were spent swimming, gardening, playing outside, building snowmen, vacationing, enjoying every holiday and laughing. He excelled at wood wooding, which he passed on to his daughters.  Every Sunday for many, many years, his girls would take turns picking out which tie he would wear to church.

As a Grampy, he enjoyed making special woodworking gifts for his babies, taking them for rides on his side-by-side, “Cutie”, giving them gumballs and bags of candy, going on family vacations, and letting the grandkids feed the ducks and other animals.  He LOVED watching his grandkids play and worked hard at making plans for that to be possible.

Don was currently a route saleman for Birkey’s Farm Store Case IH Dealer in Newton, Illinois.  He had previously worked as the manager of Clark Memorial, parts manager at Clark Tractor Sales in Newton and had owned and operated Hickox Hardware in Yale, Illinois.  He also had worked at Yale Spray and Moriah Pork Palace.

Don was an active member of the Olney Church of Christ, where he was recently appointed as an Elder.  He was a Certified Memorialist, former Jasper Unit #1 School Board Member, Rotary Club Member, member of Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, a Newton City Councilman, a member of Newton Band Boosters, a 4-H Volunteer, and was Jasper County Citizen of the Year in 2001.

He was the absolute best dad and Grampy anyone could ever ask for.  He was very loved and will be missed very much.