Cuba- Emma J. Hicklin
Emma J. Hicklin, 104, formerly of Cuba went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at The Pines Health Care & Rehab Center in Olean.
Emma was born on January 14th, 1919, in Mount Morris to Melvin Nelson Smith and Mary Elizabeth Witcher Smith. In 1937 she married Donald Miles who predeceased her in 1955, She married Frank Schena of Cuba in 1973 who predeceased her in 1987, in 1999 she married Frank Hicklin of Olean who predeceased her in 2011.
She came from a very large family with nine siblings, six brothers and three sisters, all which have predeceased her. They were a poor family eking out a living mostly on small farms at four different locations in Mount Morris, Olean, Hinsdale and Cuba.
Later, when her kids were grown, she went to work at Acme electric, working in the Cuba, Allegany and Hinsdale plants over the years. She learned to drive so she could drive herself to work. After working there for several years, she retired.
Emma loved music and when she was younger, she played the piano, organ, guitar and her dad’s harmonica. Her family has fond memories of gathering around to sing hymns, Christmas songs and others as they were growing up. Emma was loved by everyone and always reciprocated that love.
Emma is survived by sons: Marvin Miles, Robert (Bob) Miles, Jim Miles and Ray (Sally) Miles and a daughter, Margaret (Peg) Geyer, 16 Grandchildren, 28 Great Grandchildren and 11 Great Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her three husbands, Emma was predeceased by her siblings: Henry, Melvin, John, Charles, Daniel and Clifford Smith, Margaret Chokrach, Mabelle Glaske and Mary Shultz Washington, a grandson Robert John Miles and great grandson Tony (Anthony) Geyer.
Friends will be received on Monday, March 13, 2023, from 3:00-6:00pm at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, 646 East State Street, Olean, where A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 11:00am. The Rev. John Lawrence will officiate. Burial will be in Maplehurst Cemetery, Hinsdale. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com