COLUMBIA CITY: Janel R. Hicks, 90, formerly of rural South Whitley, passed away at 8:27 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Miller's at Oak Pointe, Columbia City.

Born on March 17, 1935, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Millard J. and M. LeNore (Smith) Ott.  Growing up in Washington Twp., Whitley County, she graduated from Washington Center High School in 1953.

On September 4, 1954, she married Virgil E. "Sonny" Hicks, Jr. They made their first home in Washington Township until 1962, when they moved to a farm in Cleveland Township, where she was a full-time homemaker and assisting on the farm as they raised their four children.  Sonny died on August 20, 2014.

Janel was very active in her community, serving as a Girl Scout Leader, the Whitley County Homemakers, the Democratic Ladies Group, and Country Quilters Club.  A faithful member of the Church of the Nazarene, she lead Bible studies and taught Sunday School.

Family was always her priority, and when the grandkids came along, they became her focus and joy.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing and teaching her grandchildren to quilt.

Surviving are her children, Lora (Reyes) Mata of Lagrange, Sue Southall of Cromwell, Thomas (Cindy) Hicks of Kendallville, and Margaret (Todd) Fry of Rome City; seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; a brother, Jeffrey (Donna) Ott, a sister, Jill (Steve) Deaton, and a brother-in-law, Terry (Pam) Hicks, all of South Whitley, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The funeral service is 4 p.m. Saturday (Oct 4th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the service Saturday at the funeral home.  Janel will be laid to rest beside her husband at the South Whitley Cemetery.

Memorials in Janel's honor are to the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene or the Alzheimer's Association.