Harry & Mary Ann Wickett

Harry Duane Wickett passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 and Mary Ann Wickett, both of Dowagiac, passed away on September 9, 2017. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for the two will take place on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 1 PM, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with Pastor John Mesner officiating. Burial will follow at South Wayne Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 11 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Dowagiac School Scholarship Fund. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com. Harry was born on November 23, 1941, in Decatur to Wesley & Roberta (Paul) Wickett. He grew up on his family farm with his two brothers and a sister. Mary Ann was born on September 22, 1944, in Otsego, to Clarence Richmond & Helen (Arley) Magner. She had an older brother who preceded her in death. On April 9, 1965. Harry would marry the love of his life, Mary Ann Richmond. The two were happily married for 52 years before Mary Ann’s passing. After high school, Harry began working on his career path as becoming a certified electrician. In 1964 he was offered a job at DuWells. He later accepted a job at Consolidated Die Cast as a maintenance technician and then began to pursue his career as a certified electrician. He would take every opportunity to expand his knowledge. Harry stayed with Consolidated through the buy out to Sealed Power and then Contech Metal Forge, and after 48 years he retired. In the late 1960’s Harry joined the Dowagiac Police Department reserves, and within a year of joining a new interest sparked with the fire department. Harry began volunteering at the Dowagiac Fire Department and served them for approximately 20 years. In 1986, his passion for firefighting reached a new level as he helped build the Wayne Township Fire Department, he would also become the Fire Chief for this station. Unfortunately, over the past few years as his health declined he was unable to participate as much as he would’ve liked. His heart and soul remained with his fellow fire fighters during every call and meeting. The many brother and sisters he made through his career would always remain dear to his heart. Of all of Harry’s accomplishments through his life, the Wayne Township Fire Department was his most proud and greatest. Harry would remain Fire Chief until the day of his passing. He proudly served for 53 years on the fire departments, with 33 of those years as acting Fire Chief. Mary Ann began her career in the healthcare field as an ambulance attendant with the Dowagiac Ambulance Service. She worked there for ten years and then transitioned to being a Cardio Pulmonary Technician at Lee Memorial Hospital, which she did for 20 years. Mary Ann retired from White and White as a home health care nurse, where should would meet many special people who would always remark what a special and caring lady she was. Mary had a love for the holidays, having her family back at home meant the world to her. Even as she aged and things became more difficult, Mary Ann would take great pride in herself by continuing the family get-togethers. If there would be a favorite dish she would make it would be a three-way tie between her potato salad, baked beans or cranberry relish. These recipes have been attempted by the family to be recreated but nothing come close to how Mary Ann did it. Harry and Mary Ann loved nature and in their younger years they would go camping and fishing every weekend though out the summer months. Harry was an avid hunter; in the fall and winter he would hunt turkey, deer, or squirrel. In their elderly years, they would love to watch the wild life around the feeders from their living room window. Harry and Mary Ann instilled in their children and grandchildren the importance of family, nature, and the community. They will be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure of knowing them, but most greatly by their loving family. Harry and Mary Ann are survived by their children, Kimberly (Richard) Dutoi of Dowagiac, Brian Wickett of Cassopolis, and Veronica “Ronnie” (Larry Ferrier) Wickett of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Ryan (Christina Trout) Dutoi, Tyler Dutoi, Desiree (Larry Price) Wickett, and Nevaeh Ferrier; three great-grandchildren; and, Harry’s siblings, Donald (Beth) Wickett and Carole (Loyd) Wilkenson. They were preceded in death by both sets of parents; daughter, Annette Wickett; Harry’s brother, Robert Wickett; and Mary Ann’s older brother.