Stephen P. ”Butch” Hickner, 73, of West Lafayette, passed away peacefully at home, after a short but courageous battle with brain cancer early Monday, September 26, 2022.

Steve was born July 31, 1949, in Elwood, IN, to the late Jerome and Edith (Jackson) Hickner.

Butch graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1967 and attended Ball State University.

On their first trip to Puerto Vallarta in early 2001, he proposed to Katherine “Katie” Lamb and they were married August 11, 2001. That was followed by 18 more memory filled vacations to their “happy place”.

Butch delivered window treatments for Lafayette Venetian Blind for 32 years, covering 19 states (using only his Rand McNally maps-no GPS for him!!), and serving hundreds of customers that became his close friends. He cared deeply about his customers, and they, in turn, took good care of him. He worked right up to his diagnosis, and one of his biggest regrets was not having the chance to say thank you and goodbye.

In his “younger” days, he was a fierce competitor in bowling and softball leagues and was the “master planner” of the frequent golf trips with his brothers, nephews and a few friends, (what happened on the golf course, stayed on the golf course). Then he discovered Beach Volleyball in Puerto Vallarta- he might have been the oldest and shortest guy on the sand, but he had a fierce serve! Butch looked forward to his first Monday of the month breakfasts with “the guys”, who were his lifelong friends and continued to visit all through his illness, sharing laughs and memories. We thank you for that.

Surviving with his wife Katie are two children that he loved as his own, Molly Jarrard of Linden,  Ben Riegle of Lafayette, sweet granddaughter, Lilly Jarrard of Whitestown,  brother, Bernie Hickner of Cleveland Heights, OH, sisters-in-law, Michele Hickner of Lafayette, Betty Hickner of Monticello, Lisa Foster of Mulberry (who will always be older), Carol Cornell of Linden and Mary (David Evenson) Lamb of Plymouth, MI, as well as brothers-in-law, Jack Cannon, of Mystic, CT and Bob Walters of Lafayette. Also surviving are 30 nieces & nephews, 74 great nieces & nephews, 35 great-great nieces and nephews, with more arriving soon!

Awaiting him above, along with his parents, are sisters Miriam Walters (Joe), Margie Cannon (Jack), brothers Ed (Mikki), Jerry (Betty), infant brother and sister Mary and Phillip, and in-laws, Bill and Nora Lamb.

Visitation will be from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm with Rosary at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Soller-Baker Funeral Home 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909

His family would like to thank the very special nurses, aides and all the staff at Guardian Angels for their kind, compassionate and excellent care of Steve. You all have been our true Angels on Earth.

Also heartfelt thanks to the many friends, family and co-workers at Stewart C. Miller for all of food, love and support shown to us. To our neighbors, who helped keep our yard mowed and supplied us with delicious meals, we thank you. We know his heart was happy.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Guardian Angels Hospice, The Jenny Austin Paramedic Scholarship Fund (Checks made out to Franciscan Health Foundation with Jenny Austin Scholarship in the memo line), Honor Flight of Greater Lafayette, or another charity of your choice.