Elden “Gene” Eugene Hicks, 88, of Vandalia, died Thursday, March 5, 2026, at his home in Vandalia.
A visitation will be held at Miller Funeral Home in Vandalia from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home at 11 a.m., with Peewee Denton officiating. Burial with military rites will follow the services at Fairlawn Cemetery in Vandalia. Miller Funeral Home in Vandalia is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Hicks was born on Jan. 5, 1938, in Ramsey, the son of M.W. “Shug” Hicks and Ruby C. (Spires) Hicks.
He was married to Sue (Rogier) Hicks, and she preceded him in death in 2012. He later married his loving wife, Lola (Rhodes) Hicks, and she survives. From this union, he inherited two stepsons and a granddaughter.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1960. After serving in the Army, he was employed by the Department of Corrections for 29 months in the Slaterville Prison in Joliet. He later transferred to Vandalia Correctional Center where he was promoted to Sergeant, followed by another promotion to lieutenant. He worked there for 13 and a half years. He served as a patrolman and was later promoted to chief of police in Ramsey. He also was a special deputy of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, and he was the first in Fayette County to make a drug bust. After his service to the state and city, he became a partner in a livestock auction, and he served the community as an auctioneer. Following that time, he was in the trucking business. He leased to Dale Williams Trucking in Fillmore and Schnucks Markets in St. Louis, where he hauled produce all over the United States. Five million miles later he sold the trucks and began hauling race cars for six and a half years for the famous race car driver, Richard Petty.
Mr. Hicks was a former member of Northside Christian Church. He was also a lifelong member of Temperance Masonic Lodge 16 Ainad Shriners where he served as president at Lake Club and was a past jester. At Temperance Lodge he served as secretary and as aide to the Potentate of Shrine Center in East St. Louis. He also provided transportation for children to Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, MO, Orthopedic Care and Surgery, to the Shriners Burn Center in Cincinatti, OH, and to Chicago for cleft palates.
He had a love for boxer dogs and over his lifetime he had eight and loved every one of them the same.
In addition to his wife, Lola (Rhodes) Hicks, Mr. Hicks is survived by his children, Elden Eugene “Gene” Hicks III, Gena (Gordon) Carter and Lisa Hicks; stepsons, Errick and Patrick; grandchildren, Adam, Andy, Stevie, Bailee, Marti and Roxy Bella; great-grandchildren, Benton and Shiloh; and sister, Judy (Rex) Harris.
He is preceded in death by his parents, M.W. “Shug” and Ruby Hicks; wife, Sue Hicks; daughter, Crysti Hicks; brother, Jack Hicks; and sister, Joyce Forbes.
Memorial donations can be made out to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Condolences may be left at www.millerfh.net.
