Obituary of Ralph E. Hickman

Ralph Edward Hickman, 89 years old of Hudson, Ohio, passed away on May 8, 2016, at Altercare of Stow, Ohio. Ralph was born in Akron, Ohio to James Warder and Lovina Hickman on September 30, 1926. As a young boy he lived part of his life in the Children’s Home of Akron and was a foster son to James and Edna Wilkerson of Akron, OH. Ralph participated in the Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout badge. He is a 1945 Akron North High School graduate and served in the U.S. Army following high school graduation, returning home to marry his high school sweetheart, Grace Ann Alexander. Ralph attended The University of Akron and was a member of the Lone Star Fraternity. He was employed by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company of Akron and later by Carrier Corporation of Jeanette, Pennsylvania from 1949 thru 1974. In 1974 he started his own business, REHCO, a tool and die machinery company and retired from his company in 2002. During his 62 years of marriage, Ralph enjoyed spending time with family and friends, boating, fishing, traveling, camping and hosting barbecues and clam bakes. Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Grace. He is survived by his children, Cherie Ann Arnold (David Pavlich), Grace Dorene Ellis, Christine Marie Burkhalter, Mindy Williams (Rick Williams) and Ralph Edward Hickman, II (Candy). Ralph had fourteen grandchildren, Matthew T. Welsh (Nikki), Jason Arnold (Stephanie), Jessica Arnold, Daniel M. Donato (Jennifer), Joshua N. Meneer, Jennifer N. Meneer, David M. Donato (Stacy), Geoffrey C. Arnold (Melanie), Regina M. Donato-Cormier (Andrew), Marci Rames (Shawn), Brian M. Hickman (Amy), Sarah E. Hickman, Anna G. Hickman, Ralph E. Hickman III; and 17 great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to Redmon Funeral Home for visitation from 10 A.M. until 12 Noon on Saturday, May 21, 2016. Visitation will be followed by a procession to Northlawn Memorial Gardens for a Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ralph’s honor to the Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1601 S. Main St. Akron, OH 44301.