Mar 5, 1937 - Mar 10, 2026
Reverend Loren W. "Bill" Hickerson, 89, of Newton, KS passed away Tuesday night March 10, 2026 at his home in the presence of family. He was born March 5, 1937 in Newton, KS to
Loren J. and Zella M. Stoulfus Hickerson.
Bill was a Minister with the United Church of Christ for 54 years serving churches in the Berkshire Hills of MA, Harlan, IA, Great Bend, KS, Lakewood, CO, Neillsville, WI, Levasy, MO, and
Newton, KS.
He retired from full time ministry from the Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Levasy, MO in 2000. After retiring he served as part time Minister at the First United Church of Christ, Newton
KS, and then served as an Interim Minister at Highland Trinity United Church of Christ, Newton, KS. Over the span of his career, Bill touched many lives through his Christian Ministry.
In addition to his Ministry, Bill's big love was his family and spending time with them camping, fishing, and traveling.
He was very involved in service of others in his life. He served as a Volunteer Fireman, Police Chaplain, Advocate for CASA, and College Instructor.
He was a member of the Newton Masonic Lodge and the past Midian Shrine Temple in Wichita, as well as other civic organizations.
Bill was raised in Newton and graduated from Newton High School with the Class of 1955.
He was united in marriage to Karen K. Pummill on November 27, 1957 in Newton. He graduated from the University of Wichita in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts, then Hartford Theological Seminary
in Hartford, Connecticut, receiving his Masters of Divinity in 1966.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Bill is survived by his wife, Karen of Newton; children, Dan Hickerson and wife Jennifer of Wichita, KS, Dave Hickerson and wife Geri of Wichita,
KS, Cindi Forney and husband Merrit of Lee's Summit, MO, Marc Hickerson and wife Jamie of Battlefield, MO; foster daughter, Georgia Dietz of Sioux City, IA; grandchildren, Melanie Davison, Casey Tarrant, Lindsay Hay, Christine
Umbehr, Michael McCoy, John Hickerson, Bethany Forney, Aaron Hickerson, Scott Hickerson, Anne Davis, Taylor Hickerson, Joe Hickerson, Natalie Hickerson, Trevor Forney, Lauryn Harper and Jude Hickerson, and 28 great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, March 16th, 2026 at The First United Methodist Church in Newton. Burial will be at Restlawn Gardens of Memory in Newton.
Visitation will be held at Petersen Funeral Home on Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 1 to 5 p.m. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children.
