James George Hickey, age 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at his home in Joliet, Illinois. He was born on May 5, 1936, in Custer, Wisconsin, to the late John and Lillian (nee Gunderson) Hickey. He was a graduate of Stevens Point High School and later went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Army. He married Joan Ryan on October 10, 1964.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Marie (nee Ryan) Hickey; his son, Terrence Hickey; and his three daughters, Patrice (Michael) James, Monica (Robert) Bendon, and Sheila Hickey. He was a proud grandfather to Ryan and Lauren James, and Kaylin, Grace, and Finnegan Bendon. He is also survived by his sister, Edith (Charles) Steffanus, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Grace (Wilbur) Dean, Elizabeth ("Betty" Harold) Fancher, Mary Ethel (Alois) Liebe, Glenn (Arlene Altenburg) Hickey, Harold Hickey (Harold's first wife, Dorothy (Schultz) Hickey) and (Harold's second wife, Mary (Quillman-Blaskey) Hickey), Roy (Sandra Pritchett) Hickey, Grandmother Sarah "Sadie" (Moss) - ole Gunderson, Father and Mother in-laws, John and Katherine "Kate" (Neylon) Ryan.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on February 16, 2026 at Queen of Apostle Catholic Church in Joliet, Illinois. Entombment took place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, Illinois. Farkas Funeral Home assisted the James Hickey family.