Velma Hicks

On a Sunday, eight days before the official end of World War I, on November 3, 1918, in Martin, MI, Charles & Hazel (Pallett) Arehart gave birth to their fourth child, Velma. She was in the middle of the eight children in the birth order, but Velma always had a pivotal roll in the family. No matter the age of her siblings she seemed to care for everyone and ensured the children were acting how they should and were taking care of their work. During high school Velma worked for the superintendent in his office. Clerical and bookwork came very natural to her. She graduated from Plainwell High School in 1936 and attended Parsons Business School.

Velma worked for a short time at Citizen’s State Savings Bank. However she looked for a better position and found one as the bookkeeper for Riley Onion Farms. Velma was able to say she loved her job because it was fun to her and she balanced the books with such natural genius. On November 25, 1950, she married a local man named Harvey Hicks. He was always supportive of her hard work at the onion farm. Harvey was a farmer himself and knew the long hours involved in working in the business. Each year for three months Velma would travel to Laredo, Texas, a beautiful but scorching hot little town near the Mexican Border. Riley’s had a branch of their business down there and Velma worked to get the ledgers in order. After Harvey retired he accompanied Velma on the trip. He was often out selling melons and other produce while she worked in the office. It meant though that they could be together. After 40 long and wonderful years, Velma retired from Riley’s Farm. Harvey and she took on the challenge of building a home for themselves, which Velma kept up after Harvey’s death in 1971.

Velma was always somewhat of a tomboy growing up and held onto the active lifestyle throughout her life. She was active on many bowling leagues. In different tournaments she collected numerous trophies and awards. Velma liked to travel and would go to Indiana to visit her sister. She took part in activities with a local senior group. The group would also go on short trips and outings, whether overnight to different cities, or to Kalamazoo for a game of miniature golf. She enjoyed getting her class reunion planned and did a lot of the preparation work herself to make sure the gathering was perfect for everyone.

Velma never had children of her own but she was very close with her nieces & nephews and their children. Each year the kids looked forward to Christmas cards from Aunt Velma because she would give them a few dollar bills inside the card. Her house always was the place they begged to go. They got to visit with Velma and also she liked to spoil them with things they usually did not have, such as candy and soda. Some people acquire a wealth and flaunt it, but Velma was never that way. She worked hard for herself and she lived simple so that she could share what she acquired with her loved ones. Sure she bought herself nice clothing, but giving to her family and teaching the value of learning to manage money was something she would rather pass on to her family. She was very generous.

Her family includes her brother Robert Arehart of Plainwell, a sister Mary Jean Arehart of Otsego; stepson Pat Hicks of Lake Doster, his daughter Vicki and her children; and several nieces and nephews. Velma died April 28, 2003, in Plainwell at the Dussia House. She was preceded in death by her husband Harvey in 1971 and siblings: Esther Fleming, Helen Teders, Lewis Arehart, Carl Arehart, and John Arehart, and step-daughter Helen Spaans.

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, April 30 from 2-4 & 6-8 at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, where the Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday at 1 pm.

Please share a memory with her family, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Diabetes Association.

Velma was a simple woman with an abundantly charitable heart.