Holiday Island, Ark.

MARYLOU HICKLIN, a resident of Holiday Island, Arkansas, was born December 27, 1932 in Decatur, Illinois, a daughter of Everett and Olivia (Ohlman) Evans. She departed this life Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Holiday Island, at the age of 79 years.

Before moving to Holiday Island permanently, Marylou was a Director of a Planned Parenting Clinic and taught Sociology at Illinois State University. After moving to Holiday Island she became one of the first women to be elected to the Holiday Island Board of Commissioners.

As A Charter Member of both the Music and the Theater Guilds she starred in many plays and was an original member of THE HOLIDAY ISLAND SINGERS. She and Charles were world travelers. Marylou was also a member of the Pi Beta Phi.

On December 26, 1972, Marylou was united in marriage with Dr. Charles R. Hicklin Professor Emeritus Illinois State University, who survives her. She is also survived by two sons, Mark Walker of Seattle, WA and Matt Walker of Boauair, GA; one daughter, Monica Tait of Columbia, MO; one sister, Dixie and husband Bill Mills of Holiday Island, AR; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; four stepchildren, Claudia Kaufman, Celia Hicklin, Claire Fax and Charles Hicklin; and a host of other friends and loved ones.

Marylou was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Olivia Evans and her first husband, John Walker. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com.