Eugene Wilford Hicks, 87, Herington, died Thursday at Wesley Woodlawn Hospital, Wichita.

A memorial service will be 7 p.m. Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Herington. The family will receive friends following services at the church. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.

He was born April 13, 1929, to Wilford and Marie (Brunner) Hicks in Ramona. He married Mardell Taylor on May 13, 1959, in Emporia.

He graduated from Ramona High School in 1946, McPherson College in 1952, and received advanced degrees from Emporia State University and Concordia Theological Seminary. He also served in the Navy.

He was a teacher Ramona, Lost Springs, Jewell, and Centre High School, principal at Tampa grade school, and a music professor at St. John’s College.

As a pastor, he served Lutheran churches in Wellington, Shadybrook, and Latimer. He also was organist at Trinity Lutheran Church, Ramona.

He is survived by daughters Laura Hall of Wichita and Marian Weber of Herington; sons Ross Hicks of Winfield and Matt Hicks of Abilene; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mardell, brother Bill, and an infant sister.

A memorial has been established with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Joint Seminary Fund.