Eldon Hicks, 79

Eldon Hicks, 79, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 5, 2014, after battling prostate cancer.

Services will be held at Boundary Baptist Church on Hwy 2 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho on Saturday, Oct, 25, 2014, at 11 a.m.

Eldon was born on Jan. 29, 1935, to George B. and Jane V. McGregor Hicks in Sumas, Wash. He was the seventh of 10 children.

Eldon’s greatest passions were hunting and fishing, but he also loved camping, gardening, music, traveling, and socializing. He graduated from Lynden High School in 1953. He married his wife, Mary E. Hicks on May 21, 1954. Together, they had five children.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during times of peace and was honorably discharged in 1960 after 8 years of service. He was a general contractor for most of his adult life, and the last 10 years of his career, he was a state inspector. After retiring, he enjoyed traveling, socializing — especially in coffee shops, attending the local auction, gardening, raising chickens, and enjoying life.

Eldon was preceded in death by his daughter, Darlene K., who died at birth; both parents, George and Jane Hicks; a sister, Wilma Roedel; and two brothers, Melvin and Orville Hicks.

Eldon is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary E. Hicks; four children, Monte and his wife, Suzan of Maple Falls, Wash., Debra Derigo of Blaine, Wash., Beverly Springstead of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Randel and his wife, Deborah of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His sense of humor and his many stories will be missed by all who knew him until we meet again.

His family is asking in lieu of flowers, donations in Eldon’s memory may be made to the treatment of prostate cancer at www.pcf.org