July 22, 1952 – December 17, 2023
Mark Allen Whicker, 71, Sheridan, passed away on Sunday evening, December 17, 2023. Born on July 22, 1952, in Lebanon, Ind., he was the son of the late Lawrence and Irma (Campbell) Whicker.
He was a member of the Sheridan First Christian Church.
At an early age, Mark took his first steps down the road of a lifetime spent helping others. After losing his father, Mark made the decision to leave school at 15 so he could help his family financially. Some of his older siblings had already left home and had families of their own to provide for, leaving Mark to do the only thing he felt he could: pause his studies and help provide for the family. It was not an easy decision, but one that would serve as part of the foundation that his life was built upon.
Throughout his career, he worked at several places before finding the job that made him say “I’m home.” Mark worked for the Sheridan Street Department for 25 years. A hard worker by nature, he rarely took a day off, came in early (and stayed late just as many days), never stopping until everything was done that needed done. In 2020, a bad auto accident forced him to retire as supervisor, earlier than he (and most of the town residents) would like to have seen happen. Mark truly loved serving the Town of Sheridan and all the wonderful people who call it home. Perhaps the best part of working for the town was getting to see and talk to the people he met while he was driving around Sheridan in his pickup truck. Longtime residents knew which truck was Mark’s. He would always wave and was never in so much of a hurry that he couldn’t stop and shoot the breeze with anyone who wanted to talk.
Everybody has a story or memory of how Mark was a part of their life. For some, it was his years at the Street Department, while others can’t remember a time that they didn’t know him (those individuals know the good stories). For many of our residents, though, they knew Mark as Santa. For over 55 years, Mark put on his red and white suit (two of which were made for him over the years by his grandmother) and stepped into the role he was born to play. There was nothing he loved more than seeing all the children, year after year. About 25 years into his Santa career, the only thing that could possibly make it better happened. His wife, Cindy, joined him as Mrs. Claus, and together, they helped make the wishes of the children of Sheridan, and the surrounding areas, come true. It was always a special moment when the next generation(s) got to experience the same Santa & Mrs. Claus that you saw when you were their age … and the looks on their faces when he knew their mom, dad, and grandparents’ names. It is hard to describe what he meant to the children, but he was OUR Santa Claus, plain and simple.
Work, and the holiday season, always kept Mark busy; however, when he had some time to himself, he loved spending it with his family. Taking the grandkids fishing, trying to instill his love for country music in them, and never missing an opportunity to let them know why God favors the L.A. Rams, the New York Yankees, and Sheridan Blackhawk Football, were just a few of his favorite things. He also loved collecting Coca Cola memorabilia, a 50-plus-year obsession that helped fill an entire room at his house. It was his pride and joy, and he never stopped looking for that next piece to put in the collection.
Family was everything to Mark, and there was nothing that couldn’t be achieved together. One of his proudest moments came in the form of earning his GED the same year that his son graduated high school. They both had each other’s back, helping push one another across the finish line.
Mark is survived by the love of his life, Cindy Ann (Alexander) Whicker. She and Mark were married in July of 1974, traveling the road of life side by side, through all its twists and turns. Also surviving are his grandsons, Drew Allen Whicker and Austin Matthew Whicker, both of Sheridan; great-grandchild, Easton Allen Whicker of Sheridan; brother, Frank Whicker (Debbie); sister, Tammy Cummins (Niles); his canine furbaby, Shadow; and by his brother and sister in law, Don and Lori Massey of Sheridan, whose helpfulness and kindness have been such a blessing throughout the years; as well as the hundreds of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Irma (Campbell) Whicker; brothers, Donald Gene, Jack, Lawrence, Lamar, and Jerry; sisters, Fern Keesling, Betty Parks, Mary Wallace, Serena Thomas, Sylvia Doty, Alice Smith, and Sandy Thomas; infant siblings, Michael Leon, Nellie Mae, and Glen Frederick; and by his son, Chris Allen Whicker, in 2019.
Services will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening, December 27, 2023, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 4 p.m. until the time of service. Rev. V.J. Stover will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the National Kidney Foundation, or to the Jack Griffin Children’s Christmas Party c/o The Farmers Bank in Sheridan.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com