Susan (Wingard) Hickman of La Porte, IN went to be with the Lord on
Friday, October 9, 2026.
Susan was born in Kokomo, IN, to Wendall and Helen Wingard in
September 1940. At the young age of 11, Susan felt the passion for
entrepreneurism and started cleaning homes for professors at Purdue
University. Many of her clients were teachers of performing arts, and she
was thrilled to be a regular guest at the University’s plays and musicals.
Susan’s parents moved their family to several Indiana towns and finally
settled down in Oklahoma. She later returned to Indiana after becoming
a widow with three young children.
On April 7, 1962, Susan married James Lee Hickman and settled in
La Porte having lived in the same home until 2025. Susan and Jim
enjoyed raising their family in a neighborhood where fellowship and
children could grow and thrive. Susan took pleasure in hosting the
families of the Circle, allowing the kids to play under watchful eye as
the adults chatted and drank coffee. Once her youngest child was of
school age, Susan utilized her fine-tuned coffee-clutch hosting skills to
obtain a cafeteria position at Whirlpool. She later transitioned to La Porte
Hospital’s Dietary Department where she performed a variety of roles.
Susan was a member of First United Methodist Church in La Porte and
participated in the church ladies’ group. She was an advocate for child
abuse prevention and was one of the founders of the church’s annual
Blue Walk to Prevent Child Abuse, which began in 2012. After her
retirement, she took up gardening and turned her yard into a beautiful
array of florals and landscaping. One year, Susan's yard was chosen to be part of a garden walk because it was so nice and had such a variety of plants and flowers.
Susan’s talents extended into the kitchen, having perfected recipes
including goulash, apple crisp, and cherry brandy- a trusted “cough
medicine” among those lucky to try it. She was a great cook and found a
way to make even the simplest recipes special. Susan was a patron of the
La Porte County Parks and Recreation Ceramics open studio time and
greatly enjoyed this craft with her daughters and friends. Susan’s
creativeness and nurturing spirit leaves an everlasting impression that
will be cherished for the years to come.
Susan is survived by her children: Mary (Tim) Ford of Knox, IN; Brenda
(Bruce) Zirzow of La Porte, IN; and Steven (Tammi) Hickman of
Franklin, IN; as well as daughter-in-law Peggy Knoll of Mustang, OK.
Susan was a grandmother of 10, a great grandmother of 16, and a great-
great-grandmother of 1, with another on the way. Her surviving siblings
include Sherman Wingard, Donald Wingard, Mary Beth Harris, John
Wingard, and Judy Thompson.
Preceding her in death were her parents Wendell and Helen; her husband
of fifty-five years James “Jim” in July 2017; her children: William Knoll
in March 2026 and Peggy Knoll in February 2025; and siblings: Julie
Hinds and Debbie Gurley.
Family and friends may gather at Haverstock Funeral Home &
Cremation Services (602 Maple Ave., LaPorte), on Tuesday, October 20,
2026, from 12:00-2:00 P.M. A Funeral Service will take place at 2:00
P.M. with Pastor Tim Ahlemeyer officiating. At Rest, Pine Lake
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United
Methodist Church; 1225 Michigan Ave; La Porte, IN 46350 or the
donor’s choice.
