Earl H. Hickey

Earl H. Hickey, 92, of Rockford passed away Friday, May 23, 2014 at Presence St. Anne Center. Born December 18, 1921, in Rockford, the son of William and Meta (Zitski), from Germany, Hickey. Earl's grandfather, Michael, came from Tipperary, Ireland. Earl graduated from St. Thomas High School. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Navy, where he was a cook while enlisted. Earl married Catherine Conroy in 1964, in Walton, Illinois. He was employed as a Clerk with the United States Post Office for 50 years, where his father, William, was also employed for 50 years. Earl was a proud member of the Blackhawk Trails Club and Holy Family Catholic Church. He enjoyed music, going out to eat, trips to the casino boats and he was a huge Notre Dame Football fan. The Hickey family would like to give great appreciation to the staff at St. Anne's and Morningstar Village for Earl's care.

Survived by his daughter, Mary Joanne (John) Bowes; grandchildren, Andrea and Ryan Bowes; sister-in-law, Phyllis Conroy and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his wife, Catherine on September 11, 2003; brother, William Hickey; brothers-in-law, John Conroy and Edward Conroy and sisters-in-law, Marie Long and Margaret Kopp.

Funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2014 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, with the rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. The visitation will continue at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Earl's name to St. Judes Children's Hospital. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.