Robert L. Hickman (81) of Decatur

Robert L. Hickman, 81, of Decatur, IL, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, IL.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 2 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Decatur, with visitation two hours prior to service time at the church. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery (Rt. 48 – Mt. Auburn Rd.), Decatur, IL. Memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church Building Fund.

Bob was born June 26, 1937 in Galesburg, IL, the only child of Charles Louis and Betty J. (Johnson) Hickman.

Bob is survived by his wife Jane of 40 years; daughter Bobbi Lynn Pierson and husband Chris of Hot Springs, Arkansas; son Michael James Hickman and wife Cinda of Mt. Zion, Illinois; stepchildren Douglas G. Karl and wife Janice of Des Moines, Iowa, John D. Karl and wife Kim of Bloomington, Illinois, Julie Gail Jedlicka and husband Ben of Decatur. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bob also leaves grandchildren, Bryce Pierson, Drew Hickman, Matthew Jedlicka and wife Amy, Daniel Jedlicka and wife Shannon, Erick D. Karl and wife Rebecca, Tyler Karl and wife Laura, Jill Karl Lane and husband Adam, David Karl and wife Nikki; great-grandchildren, Kaitlin Owen and Wyatt Jedlika, Dara and Griffen Lane, Emmalyn and Emmitt Karl, Lylah Jedlicka, Gwendalyn Karl, Christian and Luke Karl.

Bob graduated in 1955 from Galesburg High School. He attended Reedly College, Reedly, CA; Colorado State College, Greely, CO; Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL; and Illinois State University, Normal, IL.

Bob began his educational career in 1959 as an elementary teacher in the Knoxville Public Schools, Knoxville, IL. From 1961-1963 he was an elementary principal in the Knoxville Public School. From 1963-1966, he was Director of Elementary Education in the Galva School, Galva, IL. From 1966-1970, he was Superintendent of Schools in the Williamsfield Public Schools, Williamsfield, IL. At the time of Bob’s first superintendancy, he was the youngest Superintendent of Schools in the state of Illinois at the age of 29. From 1970-1979, he was Superintendent of Schools in the Mt. Zion School District, Mt. Zion, IL. From 1979-1985, he was Superintendent of Schools in the Westville Public Schools, Westville, IL. In 1985-1992, he was Superintendent of Schools District 40, Effingham Public Schools, Effingham, IL. After retiring from Illinois, Bob and Jane moved to Fennville, Michigan, Fennville Public Schools.

Bob was a 50+ year Phi Delta Kappa member, member of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Decatur, IL, chairman of the new building project committee when the new church was built.

Bob loved reading and golf with a hole-in-one witnessed by Junius Futrell and Bob Bertine.

Our family would like to thank the Randall Residence Memory Care Unit and caregivers for their love and care to Bob this past year.