FORT JENNINGS – Richard “Dick” Ricker, 96, of Fort Jennings, passed away at 9:52 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023, at Kindred Hospital, Lima. He was born July 24, 1926, in Fort Jennings to the late Sigmund and Clara (Meier) Ricker. On August 20, 1949, he married Norene P. Rahrig, she survives in Fort Jennings.
Dick is also survived by eight children: John “Jack” (Tonda) Ricker, Dale Ricker, both of Fort Jennings, Carol (Neal) Barnard, Donald (Maria) Ricker, both of Elida, Susan (John) Gerdeman of Kalida, Lisa (Larry) Beining of Ottoville, Kevin (Brenda) Ricker of Fort Jennings, and Brian (Julie) Ricker of Findlay; twenty-five grandchildren; fifty-eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; siblings: Mary Knueve of Kalida, Arnold (Carolyn) Ricker of Continental; in-laws: Diane Ricker of Cloverdale, Dorothy Ricker of Spencerville, Geraldine Ricker of Elida, Carol Ricker of Fort Jennings.
He is preceded in death by a daughter-in-law: Marilyn Ricker; a sister: Betty (Urban) Schnipke; brothers: Arthur Ricker, Eugene Ricker, Charles Ricker, and Sigmund Ricker; and a brother-in-law: Frank Knueve.
Dick was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Jennings. He was a lifelong farmer. Dick received many awards, Distinguished Service Award from Putnam County Swine Association, Outstanding Service Award from Putnam Soil and Water, Pork Industry Excellence Award by WRFD Radio, Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame, Ohio Ag Council Hall of Fame and Putnam County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
He was a member of several organizations, B.P.O. Elks Lima Lodge 54, Ohio Ag Council, Ohio Corn Growers, Ohio Soybean Growers, and Ohio Farm Bureau. Dick held many civic positions including, Fort Jennings Local School Board for 18 years, Putnam County Commissioner for 12 years, board member of Maumee Valley Conservation District, board member, board of directors and president of Ohio Pork Producers Council, board member and chair of Ohio Expo Commission for 13 years, board member of Putnam County Council on Aging, and Putnam County Republican Central Committee.
Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Charles Obinwa officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township and again on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church Maintenance Fund.
Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com
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