Hickman

Long- time Smithville resident Darla Lee Hickman, 73, passed away at the Water of Yorktown Nursing Home, in Yorktown, Indiana on Oct. 2.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ed Hickman in 2010.

She was born July 23, 1941 to Bernard Smiley and Dorothy Radcliff in Muncie, Indiana.

Darla and Ed Hickman moved to Smithville in the mid-1990s, and she worked for the Humane Society and as a librarian at Justin Potter Library.

Darla loved traveling, animals, and was an avid reader. She also loved spending time with her friends and family, and especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters, Diana (Ed) Staudinger, Denise (Jack) Berdoll; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jim (Elizabeth) Wood, and Tom (Nancy) Smiley; one sister, Jolene McKibben; life- long friend, Barbara Brewster; her caregiver, Kim Ward, and Kim’s two sons Taylor Reeder, and Parker Ward whom Darla trusted and loved as family; her beloved cat, Emily whom now resides with her daughter, Diana; several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

The family would like to give special thanks to all the ladies at Justin Potter Library, Suncrest Home Health, Wanda Agee at DeKalb Community Bank, and all of the friends Darla has made over the years in Smithville, a town she truly loved and thought of as home.

Cremation was chosen and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Justin Potter Library or your favorite animal charity.