Janelle Hicks

Janelle Elizabeth ‘Jan’ Hicks, age 56, passed away peacefully at her home in Grand Junction, Colorado on early Friday morning, December 26th, 2014. Her death was a result of complications from inflammatory breast cancer, her second battle with breast cancer within the past 15 years. Jan was a born in Euclid, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland on March 23rd, 1958 to James Lloyd Stover and Nancy Elizabeth (Garwood) Stover residing in Chardon, Ohio. She was the oldest of three siblings. She was married to Barry Joseph Hicks on August 19, 1977 in Greenfield, Indiana. She graduated from Covenant Foundation College in Greenfield, Indiana and later attended Colorado Mountain College in Rifle, Colorado following their move to Colorado from Indiana in May of 1982. Jan provided children’s day care, was a foster parent, and a teacher’s assistant. Her seven miscarriages endeared her to children, for to Jan every child born or unborn was a gift of God. Later she became a camp counselor, youth minister, and prison chaplain licensed by the International Fellowship of Bible Churches. She was awarded several community service awards for her humanitarian efforts, particularly for her work with ‘at risk’ youth which numbered approximately 1,200 young people. Music was a delight in her life as a solo vocalist, college trio, choirs, hand bell choirs, and playing saxophone, piano, along with basic violin. She was inducted into MENSA, an ardent reader of classical literature, avid player of Scrabble & Chinese checkers, and enjoyed difficult crossword puzzles. Jan had a passion for flowers, seashells, butterflies, and feathers with an extensive knowledge of geology and earth sciences. She enjoyed beachcombing, hiking, exploring, traveling, motorcycle riding, canoeing, boating, and those activities which took her into the outdoors to observe wildlife and share those experiences with others. Jan was primarily and genuinely interested in wellbeing of other people, particularly those in need or without others to care for them. Jan was active in her church, Appleton Christian, and to a broader degree in The universal church wherever she happened to be in the world. She often lamented not being more effective at reaching others for Christ. She was instrumental in founding the Battlement Mesa Christian Women Club, and following her mother’s footsteps consistently belonged to Bible studies wherever she happened to be. She became active in the sponsorship of children through World Vision where she knew and remotely cared for over one hundred ten children by name, country, and personal detail for the past five years. Jan’s family moved from Chardon, Ohio to Columbia, South Carolina prior to her residence in several locations in Indiana, including Greenfield, Knightstown, Shelbyville, Richmond, and Indianapolis. She lived in Rifle, Kremmling, and in Parachute / Battlement Mesa for 22 years prior to moving to Grand Junction 5 years ago. She also resided in Long Beach, California and later in Santa Barbara, California where she frequented the past seven years. Jan and her son accompanied her husband on extended travel assignments in England, France, Italy, Finland, Korea, Brazil, and Indonesia visiting other countries enroute. Jan is survived by her husband, Barry J. Hicks, her son, Roger A. Hicks & wife, Crystal L. Hicks, and her daughter, Katelyn E. Hicks, all of Grand Junction, Colorado; her Godson, Matheus Moraes of Itupeva, Brazil, nine grandchildren, her mother, Nancy E. Stover of Winnsboro, South Carolina, her brother, Harold T. ‘Skip’ Stover, & wife, Marie, and her sister, Joy M. Hoffmeister & husband, Eric, along with five nephews and two nieces. Her beloved father preceded her in passing in February of 2002. Perhaps her greatest legacy is the number of ‘adopted’ kids who called her ‘Mom' and their couple of dozen ‘adopted’ grandchildren who knew her as ‘Nana’, for they too were truly her family and where she invested her time and energy. They are living testimonies to her purpose. She lived bold, nurturing, and unashamed. Janelle Elizabeth Hicks Obituary – Her memorial service will be held 2 PM, Saturday, January 10th, 2015 at Grace Bible Church in Parachute, Colorado. Donations may be made in her memory to several organizations posted on her Facebook page.