Obituary – Lester (Les) Leroy Hickman

Lester (Les) Leroy Hickman, age 86 of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, passed away Thursday, February 26,2026 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center. Les was born on August 17, 1939, in Indianola, Iowa, the son of Murrel and Mary (Hamilton) Hickman. He graduated from Indianola in 1955 and received a BS of pharmacy at Drake University in 1963. He met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Miller at Ray’s Uptown Drug in Des Moines, Iowa. They were united in marriage at the First United Methodist Church in Des Moines on June 24, 1961.
They moved to Mount Ayr, Iowa in 1963 where he became a beloved pharmacist and co-owner of Horne Rexall Pharmacy. Les touched many lives and his coworkers and patients will always remember him for his wit, professionalism, and caring attitude.
Les was a member of Faith Masonic Lodge #172, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, and the Creston Elks Lodge #605. Shrine, and the Creston Elks Lodge #605. He enjoyed woodworking, avid coin collecting, playing golf, fishing, gardening, lawn care, and bird watching. Les loved children and really enjoyed seeing the children smile while performing in parades and helping with the Shrine Circus. He was especially proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Les is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Shirley Hickman of Mount Ayr, and their daughter Heather and son Heath. Heather’s husband Ronnie Rocha of Lubbock, Texas. Her daughter Lisa and husband Cody Howell, and their children Raylan and Averie. Her son Travis Buonanni and wife Brandi, and their children Joel, Bentley, and Giovanni. Heath’s wife Tami Hickman of Anacortes Washington. Les is also survived by his brother Charles Hickman of Portland, Oregon, and brother-in-law Chet Roed of Mount Ayr.
Les is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Annette Roed, and sister-in-law Peggy Hickman.
A celebration of life was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr.
Memorials are to the Shriners Children’s Hospitals.