Donald C. Hicks — Jasper, Ind.

Donald C. Hicks, 67, of Jasper, Ind., passed away on April 26, 2016, at Memorial Hospital in Jasper from a long struggle with cancer.

Don was born on Jan. 21, 1949, in Shawano, Wis., to Leon (Bud) and Joanne (Slorby) Hicks. He was a graduate of John Marshall High School. He attended Rochester Junior College and then North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., where he received his Master's degree in Engineering in 1972.

Don married Darlene Adler at Grace Lutheran Church in Rochester on Aug. 9, 1969.

Don worked as an aerospace and electrical engineer for Sperry Electronics in Phoenix, Ariz., until 1985. He worked for Honeywell in Albuquerque, N.M., and then for EMD in Winona. He also worked at AE Com in Indiana.

Don was known for his love of radio-control model airplanes, and spent his hobby time creating and building planes. He was highly intelligent — an avid chess player who loved to read, and he was an outstanding guitarist, playing in various bands and church praise groups throughout his life. He had an unabashed love and adoration for all four of his grandchildren.

He also enjoyed doughnuts, coffee, and the color yellow.

Don is survived by his wife, Darlene; children, Kim (Michael) Zabel of Plainview, and Korey (Andrea) of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Charlotte, Madeline, Genevieve, and Henry; brothers Mike (Rosemary) of Rochester, Steve (Gwen) of Captain Cook, Hawaii, and Tom (Ruth) of Rochester; and sister Leanne (Andy) Buell of Silver Bay, Minn.

Don was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be at Grace Lutheran Church in Rochester on Monday, May 2, at 1 p.m., with Pastor Greg Heidorn officiating. A visitation will take place at noon at Grace Lutheran Church before the service. Lunch will be served at the church after the burial service at Grandview Memorial Gardens. All attendees are asked to wear the color yellow in honor and celebration of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes, Rochester,  www.ranfranzandvinefh.com .