John Louis Chickness

John Louis Chickness, 92

John Louis Chickness of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Auburndale.

He was born March 2, 1932 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania to the late Louis and Jenny Tshiqnas. He earned a designation of LIMI from Purdue University. He was a PIAA referee for 25 years as a rules interpreter for basketball and football. John was a State Farm Agent for 40 years before retiring and was State Farm’s first National Television Spokesperson to film a commercial outside of the office. He was a member of Solid Rock Church in Winter Haven. He was a member of Lake Ashton Country Club and was a lifetime member of State Farm’s Presidents Club.  He was a Ham radio operator with the highest certification and his call sign was WN3W.

John was preceded in death by his sister, Mary. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Audry Chickness; sons, John Chickness, Jr. of Baden, Pennsylvania and Thomas Chickness (Pam) of Harmony, Pennsylvania; and grandchildren, Andrea Chickness-Lewis (Isaac), Dr. Jason Chickness (Karley) and Brooke Chickness-Quintero (Christian).

A visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until the funeral service at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales.