John E. Hicks, 79, of Daugherty Township, Beaver County, died Saturday at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh.

Born in Evans City, May 14, 1927, he was the son of John Albert and Beatrice Mae Pryor Hicks.

He was a member of St. John's Burry's Church.

Mr.Hicks retired from Halstead Industries in Zelienople as a tool and die machinist.

He was a World War II Army veteran and a member of the Freedom Eagles.

Surviving are his wife, Eleanor Young Concelman Hicks; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Gregory Roman of Lancaster Township; two sons and daughters-in-law, Loyal and Linda Hicks of New Oxford, Adams County, and Thomas and Stacey Hicks of North Sewickley Township, Beaver County; five stepchildren, Patricia and Melvin Sheets of Daugherty Township, Mary Pangan of Lexington, N.C., Elaine and David Hudak of Baden, Timothy and Lynn Concelman of Daugherty Township and Christine Riley of Pulaski Township, and a sister Dorothy Mayfield of Las Vegas, N.M.

He also is survived by five grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Hicks.

<B>HICKS </B>— Friends of John E. Hicks, who died Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the <B>Huntsman Funeral Home</B>, 502 Adams St., Rochester. He will then lie in state at St. John's Burry's Church from 10 to 11 a.m Tuesday, where the service will follow at 11 a.m. with his pastor, the Rev. Michael VanArsdale, officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to the memorial fund of St. John's Burry's Church 1835 Route 68, Rochester, PA 15074.Information also is available at www.huntsmanfuneralhomes.com.