February 2, 1993 – June 12, 2024
On June 12, 2024, Steffanie Elizabeth Pickett, 31, Cicero, unexpectedly passed away due to a motorcycle accident near Cicero.
She was born February 2, 1993, in Noblesville to Ralph Kenneth and Angela Mae (James) Pickett. She grew up in the Jackson Township area and attended Hamilton Heights Schools and graduated with the Class of 2011. During her school years, she was a Girl Scout of Troop 1691 in Cicero. Also while attending high school, she was a member of Hamilton Heights Amber Guard and was Captain during her senior year. Steffanie managed women’s basketball for Hamilton Heights and earned a full scholarship to Division I college Indiana State University, where she managed their women’s basketball team.
Steffanie’s passion for helping others and serving her community led to her becoming a 911 Dispatcher for Hamilton County Public Safety Communications in 2019. Within a year she had received a Lifesaver Award.
Steffanie enjoyed spending time in the outdoors and especially loved hunting with her dad. She soon realized she needed to share her knowledge and passion for the outdoors with others. She became a certified Indiana Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor in the spring of 2013 where she certified many hunters across the state of Indiana. As an instructor, she impacted many hunters and youth students as well as supported many Indiana outdoor-related educational programs. Among those were the Indiana National Archery School Program, Hunter Education booth at the Indiana State Fair, Hoosier Outdoor Experience, Becoming An Outdoors Woman, and Karl E. Kelly Youth Camp. Steffanie was a counselor at the Karl E. Kelly Youth Camp for three years and received the honor of being named Counselor of the Year in 2015. In 2023, she, along with her Hunter Education teaching team, won District 4 Hunter Education Instructor Team of the Year.
Steffanie was incredibly intelligent, creative, selfless, caring, and supportive of her family through every journey, good or bad. She was a devoted caregiver to her grandmother, Martha Pickett, until she passed away. She continued to love and support her mother and two sisters through all life’s challenges.
Steffanie was to be married to her fiancé, Zachary Wentworth, in September, and they were looking forward to starting a family.
Steffanie is survived by her mother, Angela Mae (James) Pickett; her sisters, Olivia Pickett, Kari (Pickett) Cowan and her husband Taylor Cowan; her grandmother, Lois Mae James; and several cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Preceding her in death are her father, Ralph Kenneth Pickett; grandmother, Martha Elizabeth Pickett; and grandfathers, Ralph (Hap) Steffi Pickett and John Robin James Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Cicero Christian Church, 1715 Stringtown Pike, Cicero, with Pastor Mark Knapp officiating. The time of visitation will be from noon until the time of the services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Hunter Education Association, P.O. Box 239, Arcadia, IN 40630.
Hartley Funeral Homes is entrusted with Steffanie’s care, and you may send condolences or flowers to the Church through their website hartleyfuneralhomes.com.