Sara M. Hickman

Sara M. "Sally" Hickman, 86, of Pine Island, Fla. and formerly of Champion, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at St. Joseph Health Center in Warren, She was born September 10, 1921 in McKeesport, Pa., the daughter of William and Nellie (Hall) Fitz.

Sally served in the Women's Air Corps during World War II as a radio cryptographer, decoding messages as D-Day approached. She was a licensed pilot and worked, in the military, as a navigator, instructor, radio operator, and later as a pilot trainer for landings and take-offs for the Civil Air Patrol. After leaving active duty, she accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Defense, Pittsburgh Ordinance District. Having a top secret clearance, she developed blueprints for Jeeps, tanks, and rockets.

She was a member of the Women of the Moose for 11 years and earned her College of Regent's Red Stole award. She also belonged to the American Legion and was a charter member of the National World War II Museum.

An avid scuba diver, Sally was the scribe for the Buckeye Aqua-Ducks, the first diving club in Ohio, and wrote articles for Skin Diver magazine. She and Herb were long-time members of the Conneaut Yacht Club, living on board the boat Dun-Did-It, traveling Lake Erie with the family.

Music always surrounded Sally. She sang professionally and entertained troops with the USO. Later, she sang with many a church choir and loved to sing Christmas carols to the homebound.

Crocheting and making her Swedish weave blankets kept her hands busy during the quiet times.

Surviving are four children: David (Tina) Rodgers of Mobile, Ala., Jill (Barry) Davidson of Pine Island, Linda (Gary) Lucik and Jason (Teresa) Hickman, both of Champion; twelve grandchildren: David Rodgers, Thomas, Eric, and Daniel Rakijasic, Bruce, Betina, and Stephen Davidson, Tiffany and Nicholas Lucik, Candice and Melissa Hickman, and Ashley Spencer; and nine great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death are her parents; three husbands: Rodney Rodgers, Milton Cummins, and Herbert C. Hickman; two daughters, Deborah Rodgers and Barbara Hickman; and a granddaughter, Amanda Lucik.

Services will be 12:00 Noon Saturday, December 29, 2007 at McFarland & Son Funeral Home, with Rev. Kenneth Hopkins of Champion Christian Church officiating. Interment will follow at Meadow Brook Memorial Park in Champion. Friends may call 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests material contributions be made to the donor's favorite charity, in the name of Sara M. "Sally" Hickman.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.