Philip David Hickey  1947—2007

Philip David Hickey, 60, of Quincy, went home peacefully to be with the Lord at the Good Samaritan Hospice House in Battle Creek, on August 24^th, 2007, after a short fight against cancer.  He was a beloved husband, father, and child of God and was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his passing.

Philip was born on June 18, 1947, in Battle Creek, to Russell Martin and Marjorie Josephine (Beatty) Hickey.  Philip moved to Bronson as a child where his father owned and operated the Walnut Room Tavern for many years.  Phil was an athlete at Bronson High School and enjoyed football, wrestling, and track & field.  He served three years in the U.S. Navy.  Phil was stationed on Guam with the Naval Security Group during the Vietnam era.  Phil received an honorable discharge at the rank of Second Class Petty Officer.

After military service Phil received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Western Michigan University.  Phil enjoyed teaching Middle School & High School students in Waldron and Capac, MI.  Master’s training was conducted at Michigan State University’s Smith School of Driving.  Phil had over 25 years of experience as a Driver Education Instructor.

Phil worked as a Case Worker for the Department of Social Services in Coldwater for many years.  He then transferred to Lansing to work in the DEQ-Underground Storage Tank Division.  Phil retired from the State of Michigan in June, 2002, and moved to Marble Lake in Branch County.

In retirement Phil and his wife enjoyed many travel opportunities with destinations that included the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Kiribati, Mexico and he especially enjoyed walking on a glacier in Alaska, climbing in the Rocky Mountains and riding a hot-air balloon over Coldwater!  Phil was active for many years in both the Boy Scouts of America and as an athletic booster for Coldwater High School cross country & track.

Phil founded Phil’s Driving School, LLC, in Coldwater, and very much enjoyed interacting with the youth of Branch and surrounding counties.  In appreciation of Phil’s dedication to teaching safe teenage driving habits and his desire for the business to continue, his son and daughter in-law Russell & Tasha (Slater) Hickey will continue to operate the school.

Philip married Beverly Diane (Killian) Hickey on December 20^th, 1969 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Bronson.  They had one son together, Russell Lewis Hickey.  Survivors include his wife of 37 years; his son Russell (Tasha) Hickey of Coldwater; brother Donald (Louise) Hickey of Greenville; sister Patricia (Roman) Eickholt of Continental; granddaughters Marena Hickey and Sara Hickey of Coldwater; and many dear nieces and nephews.  Phil is preceded in death by parents Russell Martin Hickey and Marjorie Josephine (Beatty) Hickey; brother Richard Hickey; sister Sue (Hickey) Sikorski; sister Mary Jo (Hickey) Thorson; infant brother Patrick Hickey; and infant brother Russell Martin Hickey.

Phil tried to live as a Christian and over his life attended the following churches: St. Philip Catholic Church of Battle Creek, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church of Bronson, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing, and St. Charles Borromeo Church of Coldwater.  Also, he was a grateful friend of Bill W. since 9/20/99.

In honor of Phil’s request, a Mass of Christian Burial is planned at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Coldwater at 10:00a.m. Wednesday, August 29^th, 2007.  A memorial luncheon will follow at 11:00a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Coldwater.  A brief interment ceremony will follow at 3:00p.m. at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Battle Creek.  Memorial donations may be made to Lifespan, 166 E. Goodale Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017-2728.