Mariann Evelyn Hicks, 58, of Columbia City, passed away unexpectedly at 2:50 a.m. Sunday, August 2, 2015, at Highland Regional Medical Center in Sebring, Fla. Born Oct. 4, 1956, in Havelock, N.C., she was the daughter of Blanche Marie (Roy) Shatzer.

Mariann was raised in Fort Wayne and graduated from Wayne High School with the Class of 1975. Along with being a homemaker, she had also worked with the Noble and Whitley County Hospitals.  On April 28, 1990, she married Eldon “Gene” Hicks in Columbia City. She had a big and loving heart who loved her family. She enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers and shopping.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years: Gene Hicks; children: Nicole (David) Taylor, Roanoke; Aaron (Angie) Hill, Fishers; Gena Hicks, Roanoke; Miriah Hicks, Columbia City; and Kira Hicks, Columbia City; mother: Marie Shatzer; sisters: Melissa (Dan) Fogel, Fort Wayne; Kirsten Revett, Fort Wayne; and Gretchen Revett, Wis.; and grandchildren: Sean; Bryce; Sydney; and Abel. She was preceded in death by her daughter: Kaylee Hicks, in 1997; and her dad: Robert Shatzer.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the funeral home, with Rev. Mark Wagner officiating. Burial will follow at Union township Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be given in her memory to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.