Kathleen Ann Hickenbottom's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Kathleen Ann "Kathy" Hickenbottom, age 76 of Charleston, passed away in the comfort of her home on Monday, June 20, 2016. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral chapel with Pastor Brett Hammond officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Charleston Food Pantry. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or services, or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Kathy was born January 22, 1940 near Hidalgo in Jasper County, IL, one of three children born to the late Jesse Virgil and Delcie Carolyn (Shepherd) Sowers. She was united in marriage to Leslie Robert "Les" Hickenbottom on May 8, 1960 at the First Christian Church in Charleston and they have shared and celebrated 56 years of marriage and friendship. In addition to Les, those remaining to cherish her memory are her daughters, Connie Ann Spaniol and husband Lee of rural Lerna, IL and Cynthia Renee "Cindy" Huckstep of Charleston; 4 grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Spaniol, Kaitlin Ann Spaniol and fiancé Myles Titus, Kyle Alan Miller and fiancé Emily Rice, Jessica Lynn Huckstep; 2 great-grandchildren, Jaylen Annamarie Miller and Benjamin Robert Miller; a brother, Duane (Jeanette) Sowers of Effingham, IL; and a sister, Peggy Rice of Ft. Wayne, IN. Kathy was a 1958 graduate of Cumberland High School. She graduated from Cosmetology School in Paris and was a licensed beautician for 10 years before accepting a position with Consolidated Communications, Inc. She was employed with Consolidated for 23 years prior to her retirement in 1993. Growing up, Kathy attended and placed membership with the Salem Church located near Toledo, IL where she played the piano and sang in the choir. She was a past member of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) and was actively involved and served on the Board of the Coles County Genealogical Society. Kathy always kept busy with her many needlework, sewing or quilting projects, working in her flower and vegetable gardens, researching family genealogy, or spending time in the kitchen cooking family favorites such as minestrone or pasta fagioli. In addition to her career, Kathy was a homemaker who took great pride in her home and family. She was the supportive wife of a firefighter and took care of their family and home during the many hours Les was at the station, and helped to maintain a calm and positive atmosphere when the sirens were heard. She was a loving and giving wife and mother, and a doting grandmother and great-grandmother whose greatest joy was spending time with her family. Kathy's friends and family will always treasure their many wonderful memories of joyous times shared. SERVICES Visitation Wednesday, June 22, 2016 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920 Funeral Service Wednesday, June 22, 2016 11:00 AM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920
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