John Edward Hickle, 88, Rolla, passed away March 29, 2019, in Rolla.
He was born Sept. 6, 1930, to Earl and Lena (Patterson) Hickle, in Morse, Texas.
He was united in marriage to Betty Jean Gore, in 1954.
John served on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea in the U.S. Navy. He earned degrees at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Southern Methodist University, making his career as an aerospace engineer. He worked for five years at Convair in Fort Worth, Texas, and for 32 years at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis. At McDonnell Douglas, he helped with structural design for several aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom, F-15 Eagle, F-18 Hornet and A-12 Avenger stealth bomber. Over the years, he had been active at Berkeley Baptist Church, St. Louis, First Baptist Church Harvester, St. Charles, and Salem Avenue Baptist Church, Rolla. He taught Sunday school and served as deacon.
He was preceded in death by wife, Jean; parents, Earl and Lena; and brother, William Hickle.
He is survived by sons, John and wife Sofia of Orlando, Fla., Bill and wife Debbie of Rolla and Steve and wife Lisa of St. Louis; sister, Clarie Qualls of Corpus Christi, Texas; sister-in-law, Bonnie Hickle of Austin, Texas; brother-in-law, Phil Gore and wife Helen of Lenoir City, Tenn.; and 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, April 7, at Null and Son Funeral Home, Rolla. Interment followed in Rolla City Cemetery. Memorial contributions suggested to Salem Avenue Baptist Church.
