08/31/2026
The Hillis Combs Funeral Home is honored to care for Rev. Dr. Herbert R. Hicks.
The Rev. Dr. Herbert R. "Herb" Hicks, 86 of Zanesville, passed peacefully at his home, Saturday, August 29, 2026. He was born Saturday, October 21, 1939, in Sardinia, Ohio, the son of James B. Hicks, and Marie (Donohoo) Hicks, and was raised in Buford, Ohio, by his grandparents, Ora and Lola Donohoo. He graduated from Buford High School in 1958, as the Valedictorian, and President of his class. He married Shirley M. (McCleese) Hicks on Friday, March 25, 1960.
Within a month he had entered Cincinnati Christian University, and was a pastor of his first church in Port Jefferson, Ohio, where he served throughout his college years while earning his Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Theology Degrees.
On March 25, 1960, he married the love of his life of over 66 years, Shirley M. (McCleese) Hicks, from Mayville, KY. Shirley would lovingly care for him as his devoted wife, and nurse; there only child, John Mark was born July 13, 1962.
Following clinical training at Southern Theological Seminary, he entered Lexington Theological Seminary, where he would earn his Master of Divinity Degree, with Honors. He went on to earn his Doctorate in Ministry at Lexington Seminary, and Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary. For many years Dr. Hicks did continuing education at Princeton University.
Dr. Hicks was ordained as a Disciples of Christ Pastor in 1968. Through over sixty years, he would serve churches in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, with standing in the Christian Church “Disciples of Christ, and the United Church of Christ”.
In Zanesville, Dr. Hicks served as Senior Pastor of First Christian Church “Disciples of Christ” from 1983 till 2002, and as Pastor Emeritus until his passing. In his “retirement” he did interim ministry at Lake Shore Christian Church in Cleveland, and St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Following his retirement from interim ministry he served Zion Reformed Church, “United Church of Christ”, from 2005 to 2015, and Pastor Emeritus until his passing.
Dr. Hicks was a 60 year member of The Lodge of Amity #5, and La Fayette Lodge # 79, Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio; Valley of Cambridge Scottish Rite, Aladdin Shrine Temple, Amrou Grotto, and Order of The Eastern Star, where he served as Past Worthy Patron.
He was a Rotarian for over 40 years, and served on the Zanesville Salvation Army Advisory Board for over 30 years, serving as president for two terms. Dr. Hicks was by heritage, and conviction, a Quaker.
In addition to his wife, Shirley Hicks, Dr. Hicks is survived by one son, John Mark (Stacy) Hicks of Denville, NJ; two grandchildren, Nathan Tyler Hicks of Burlington, VT, and Lauren Michelle Hicks of Denville, NJ, three sisters, Donna Hicks of Cincinnati, Darlene (Thomas) Kieffer of Sardinia, and Joyce (Jerry) Maco of Cincinnati, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, and grandparents, Dr. Hicks was preceded in death by three brothers, James Hicks, Jerome Hicks, and Raymond Hicks, and one sister, Jana Hicks-Skidmore.
Friends may call Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at The Hillis Combs Funeral Home, 935 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, where The Lodge of Amity #5, will conduct Masonic Services at 4:15 PM.
Visitation will also be held one hour prior to services, Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, at First Christian Church of Christian Disciples, 3000 Dresden Road, Zanesville. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Laureen Roe as officiant, and Rev. Charles H. Mackey as Eulogist. Pastoral remarks will be shared by Rabbi Jeffrey Elson, Rev. Mark Katrick, Rev. Melodie Rezac, and Rev. Allen Harris. Burial will be held 11:30 AM, Friday, September 4, 2026, in Buford Cemetery, 2484 State Route 134, Buford, Ohio. Services for Dr. Hicks will be livestreamed at the following link, rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2. To sign on the line guestbook or leave a personal not of condolence please visit www.hilliscombsfh.com.
