Earl L. Hendricks Passes Away

Earl L. Hendricks 74, of Decatur, Illinois, died Thursday, January 13, 2022 at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

Earl Hendricks was a member of the graduating class of 1965 of Douglass MacArthur High School. He was a member of the Science Club for all four years of high school, and I was a friend of his from that first year. As a fellow science nerd, Earl was a smart and thoughtful soul.


He as a member of the Freshman Chorus, Concert Choir, and Choraliers all four years, a member of the Stephen Decatur Exchange Assembly as a junior, and of Music Man as a senior.


Earl was in the Rifle Club as a sophomore and junior.

Earl was born in February of 1947 in Pasadena, CA; the first born son of Captain Lane S. Hendricks and Elizabeth Hendricks. He attended Decatur Public Schools, graduated from MacArthur High School in 1965, and attended Millikin University. Later, he graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute. Earl served in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was employed by Firestone, Mitsubishi Motors, and the Macon County Sheriff’s Department. 

Earl learned to be a hard worker early in life; he was a self-taught mechanic and found satisfaction in learning how things worked (or didn’t work). He enjoyed cars, drag racing, and anything aviation related. (On Facebook, Susie Justice recalled Earl as a racer back in the day, who "raced with [them] at Motion Raceway and Coles County.")

He was a proud spectator at Kristin’s many sporting events through the years. Earl loved all animals, especially dogs. 

Earl married Kathy Wickline in September of 1985, beginning a wonderful marriage journey. For over thirty-six years, they lived daily what many people only dream of experiencing. Earl was the epitome of integrity. He was loving, thoughtful and devoted. When you get to marry the best person you’ve ever known, thirty-six years isn’t long enough. “I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you; but instead, I am deeply honored knowing that you spent the rest of your life with me.”

Earl is survived by his wife Kathy, daughters Kristin and Michelle, mother, brother Jim, mother-in-law Patricia Wickline, sisters-in-law Diane Hendricks, Brenda Hendricks, and Vicki (Steve) Wilson. He was proceeded in death by his father, brothers Charley and Lane, niece Samantha, father-in-law Bob Wickline, and sister-in-law Judy Wickline.

A memorial service to honor the life of Earl L. Hendricks will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at New Beginnings Church of God, Decatur, IL. Military rites and burial will be at a later date.

(Credit for obit details to Tanzyus Logan Funeral Service.)