MERRIAM — Joan C. Hicks, 81, of Merriam passed away July 28, at Trinity Nursing Home in Merriam. She was born Dec. 2, 1929 in St. John. A longtime resident of Great Bend, she taught at the Academy of Beauty for several years. She was loved by all who knew her. Joan loved reading, doing puzzles and playing cards and enjoyed watching her grandkids play sports.
Survivors include her children, Johnna Corbin (Rodney) of Des Moines, Ia., Dennis Carver (Kathy) of Dixon, Mo., and Jay Carver (Sharon) of Shawnee; a sister, Lorna Dean Spillman of Great Bend; and brother Jack Wise (Sondra) of Ellinwood; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one  great grandchild on the way. She is preceded in death by husbands Samuel William Carver, Jr. in 1961 and Larry L. Hicks in 2010; and dear friend and sister-in-law Vera Ellis.
A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Best Western Angus Inn, Meeting Room 222, 2920 10th St., Great Bend.

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Aug. 10, 2011*