A Mass of Christian Burial for Tom Hickey, age 66, of O'Neill, will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, November 26, 2016, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill.

Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery, with Military Rites by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post #93 and the O'Neill VFW Post #926.

Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M., Friday, November 25, 2016, with a 7:00 P.M. Rosary at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Tom passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016, at Avera St. Anthony's in O'Neill.

Tom Francis Hickey was born on September 10, 1950, in O'Neill, NE, to Francis and Margaret (Martin) Hickey.  He graduated from St. Mary's in 1968, then attended IBM School in Omaha.  In 1970, Tom enlisted in the Navy and worked on the USS Hancock, an aircraft carrier, during the Vietnam War. He returned to O'Neill in 1972 and worked as a carpenter for Duane Miller.  Tom met Shirley Taggart at the Elbow Room when she went in to apply for a job.  They were married at her parent's home in Chambers, NE, in June of 1974.

The couple milked cows for a time on the Taggart Ranch while Shirley's father recovered from open heart surgery.  In 1974, Tom started working at Great Western Gas and was employed there until he retired in 2010.  He also worked at the O'Neill Golf Club for several summers.

Tom had many hobbies, including playing golf and fishing.  He also enjoyed working on the computer and watching sports, especially local teams. Tom was avid supporter of the St. Patrick's Day celebration in O'Neill.  He and Shirley were even named as honorary King and Queen one year.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill, St. Mary's Athletic Boosters, and the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post #93.

Tom is survived by his wife of 42 years, Shirley Hickey of O'Neill, one son, Ryan Hickey, of Denver, CO, 2 brothers: Jerry Jurgensmeier and wife Mary Jo, of Iowa, Bob Jurgensmeier and wife Vicki of O'Neill, 2 sisters: Beth Zakrzewski and husband Ed of North Platte, and Mary Lou Sliester of O'Neill, and many nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents.