CLIFFORD H. HICKS Indianola Services for Clifford H. Hicks, 88, who passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2014 will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 23 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Indianola. Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Indianola. Clifford was born February 6, 1926 in Knoxville, IA. He and his family lived near a small farming community called Red Rock in Marion County under the Mile Long Red Rock Bridge. He farmed along the Des Moines River and in the Pleasantville area. He served in the United States Marine Corp during WWII assigned to the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific. He was a 64 year member of the American Legion Post #108 in Pleasantville and was recognized for his continual membership and faithful service. He was a very proud veteran who believed a man's word and handshake were as good as his signature. Clifford married Marilee Gose on March 27, 1949, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. His eyes sparkled showing his great love for his wife. The couple was blessed with four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Cliff and Marilee were devoted Catholics and members at St. Thomas Aquinas for 40 years. Following retirement they moved to Indianola, but Cliff proved you can take the farmer off the land but never the farmer out of the man. He kept the biggest in town garden you could imagine. He loved spending time outside in his garden and also stayed busy with yard work. He would not only mow his own lawn but also those of the neighbors. Cliff and Marilee traveled to many states visiting family (Hawaii and Alaska even!). These vacations created lasting memories. He also enjoyed old Country Western music and was quite the dancer. Every fall, he and his friends looked forward to deer hunting and when spring rolled around, he was a master at finding the morel mushrooms. His favorite food was a bowl of ice cream. He had a love for nice shiny pick-ups and enjoyed spending time at his lake lot at Lake Rathbun. We always thought of him as a tinker of cars and property. He never had the fear of getting up on the roof and cleaning the gutters. Surviving are his loving wife of 65 years, Marilee; children, Cathy Taggart of Des Moines, Don Hicks of Indianola and David (Vicky) Hicks of Des Moines; daughter-in-law, Janet Hicks of Augusta, GA; brother, Robert Hicks of Des Moines; grandchildren, Ryan Taggart, Jill Oldham (Ryan), Jennifer McNew (James), Alicia Gross (Nathan), Anna Crewe and Jennifer Hicks; great-grandchildren, Brody Oldham and Norah Gross. Preceding him in death were his parents, Henry and Cecilia Hicks; son, Ron Hicks; sister, Virginia Cackler; and brothers, LaVerne and Dale Hicks. Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, August 22 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola where family will be present to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be given in Clifford's name to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church or Alzheimer's Research. Online condolences may be made at www.overtonfunerals.com.