George Owen Fickas
George Owen Fickas (Retired Lieutenant Colonel), 84, of Evansville and formerly of Fairview Heights, Ill., died at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, 2006, at his residence.
George was born July 8, 1923 in Evansville to Anexamander Hayden and Mary Pearl (Goottee) Fickas. He attended St. Benedicts Catholic Grade School. George was a 1941 graduate of Bosse High School and a 1954 graduate of Evansville College. George was also a graduate of Indiana School of Mortuary Science and served as general manager for Joseph Schaefer and Son Funeral Home at Fifth and Court Streets in Evansville for many years. He retired from the Internal Revenue Center in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a veteran of the United States Army Infantry, having served as a Lieutenant during World War II, receiving the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with clusters. George was past master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masonic East Lodge 504 of Fairview Heights, Ill., Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Lodge Council Chapter Consistory of Valley of Southern Illinois, Ainad Shriners of East St. Louis, Missouri, past commander of Legion of Honor, Dania Shrine Club of O'Fallon, Illinois, past officer of Order of Eastern Star Queen City 697,past president of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 427, The American Legion Funkhouser Post 0008 and past president of Senior Citizens Organization in Fairview Heights, Ill. George was presented the Marvin J. Evans Award from the United States Army Reserve and was past president of the Reserve Officers Association. He was also a Kentucky Colonel and was Scout Master Vigil, Order of the Arrow. In the last years of his life, George enjoyed fishing with his son.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Lois (Heidt) Fickas, of Evansville; one son, John Hayden Fickas, of Evansville; four sisters, Edith Saletta, of Virginia, Ollie Jane Sullivan, of Florida, Judy Sue Fowler, of Newburgh and Starling Petitjean, of Evansville; one brother, Joseph Fickas and his wife, Mary, of Mount Vernon, Ind.; two grandchildren, John Michael Fickas and his wife, Kelly, and Jeremy H. Fickas, both of Evansville, and one great-granddaughter, Raven Nichole Fickas.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Hayden "Bud" Fickas, Jack A. Fickas and Charles William Fickas, and three sisters, Mary Gene Sickman, June Meyer and Patty Ann Fickas.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, at Boone Funeral Home - East Chapel, 5330 Washington Avenue with Father Ted Temple officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Club will perform military rites.
Friends may call from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, at Boone Funeral Home - East Chapel, where the Evansville Masonic Lodge 64 will conduct a memorial service at 7 p.m. and again from noon until time of service at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, 2007.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 1, Evansville, IN 47701
