Richard “Dick” L. Hickerson, 84, of Orion, IL, passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Park Vista Retirement Living in East Moline, IL, under hospice care and surrounded by his family. A private inurnment will take place at Greenview Memorial Gardens. Friends are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Hickerson home.

Richard Louis Hickerson was born on September 1, 1942, to James and Marguerite (Rodts) Hickerson in Moline, IL. He grew up in Milan and Orion and attended Rock Island High School. After earning his diploma, Dick began his career with John Deere. He worked at Plow and Planter for 30 years before retiring in his 50s. Retirement gave Dick more time to pursue what he considered his true passion: his hobby farm, where he raised sheep.

On September 29, 1962, Dick married Judith Ringer at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Milan. Together, they built a home in Orion, where they raised their children. The homestead was later passed down to his son and his family.

Dick and Judy enjoyed traveling throughout the country and in their later years, they spent winters in Arizona. After Judy’s passing in 2008, Dick spent his winters in Mississippi, where he enjoyed fishing. An avid outdoorsman, Dick loved camping and hiking throughout North America. Hunting was another one of his hobbies, and he made several trips to Canada to hunt moose and elk.

Dick especially cherished time with his family, particularly his grandchildren. He enjoyed playing board and card games with them, with Sorry and Kings in the Corner among their favorites.

He will be greatly missed by his children, Steve (Caryl) Hickerson, Julie Vermeire, and Sean (Molly) Hickerson; grandchildren, Molly Hickerson, Rachel (E.J.) Brooks, Abby (Ronald) Rogers, Luke Vermeire, Reed Vermeire, Mia Feit, Emily Hickerson, and Valerie Hickerson; great-grandchildren, Benton Hickerson, Emanuel and Maleah Brooks, and Waylon and Wesley Rogers; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judy; his sister, Nancy Anderson; and his brothers, Jim, Jack, Bill, and Charles Hickerson.

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