Mel Hicks

Mel Hicks (Mzhickteno), Jr. 53, died Monday, December 8, 2014 at the home of his aunt and uncle Lee and Johnny Daniels. Mel was born September 12, 1961 in Ravenna, Ohio, the son of Marjorie (Arpoika) Holland and Mel Hicks (Mzhickteno) Sr. both deceased. Mel’s working career ranged from a golf pro teaching many how to play golf, retail store manager and a mortgage loan broker. Mel loved joking, laughing with his friends and family, golfing, bowling, fishing, ocean beaches in Tampa, Florida, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks,  and being best friend to his younger brother “ Toppie”. Mel, whose Native American name was Wacocci (which means green fish) was very proud of his native American heritage. Being a Member of the Creek Nation, Sac and Fox Tribe, and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, was very important to him. He is survived by his brother Jim “ Toppie” Mzhickteno and his wife Jackie of New Lenox, Illinois, his God son Maximus Mzhickteno, step –father Larry Hollarn of Oregon, Illinois, step brother Jon Holland, of Byron, Illinois,  step sister Katie ( Holland) McCarthy of Phoenix City, Alabama, aunts Melba Kelly of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Charline Owen of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Lee Daniels and her husband Johnny of McLoud, Oklahoma, Pauline Bramlett and her husband Junior, of Norman, Oklahoma, his uncles Delbert Arpoika and his wife Debbie of Dale, Oklahoma and Bobby Arpoika and his wife Cecila of Oakdale, California. He was preceded in death by his mother Marjorie (Arpoika) Holland and father Mel Hicks (Mzhickteno) Sr. Wake services will be at Lakeview Church of Christ on Highway 102 west of Shawnee, Oklahoma, starting at 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 9, 2014, funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at the Lakeview Church of Christ. Burial will follow at the Arpoika Family Cemetery in Weleetka, Oklahoma. Arpoika Daniels, his cousin, will officiate at the funeral service. Casket bearers will be Lance Daniels, David Daniels, Russell Daniels, Johnny Daniels, Bradlee Arpoika, Bobby Arpoika. Honorary bearer will be Maximus Mzhickteno. The family would like to thank Crossroads Hospice for their care in Mel's peaceful passing. Memorial donations may be made to the Crossroads Hospice at 701 S.E. 82nd St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73149 in memory of Mel. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: December 10, 2014, 11:00 AM Lakeview Church of Christ located at Hwy 102, Shawnee, OK 74801