Dean E Ricketts

Dean E. Ricketts, age 86, of Oquawka, Illinois; passed away at University Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa on Friday December 21, 2012 at 11:02 pm. Dean was born on July 26, 1926 in Burlington, Iowa and is the son of Leslie P. and Gladys E. Camp Ricketts. Dean was raised and educated in Henderson County where he attended school and graduated from Biggsville High School with the class of 1944. Dean married Nancy Koehler on April 12, 1958 in Burlington, Iowa and she is surviving. Dean began farming on the family farm near Gladstone, Illinois. In 1936 they moved north of Oquawka on the Keithsburg blacktop where he has farmed to the present. Dean has been a grain and livestock farmer all of his working career. He served on the Union school board of District 115 for nine years. He has served several years on the board of the Henderson County Fair. Dean was active in both 4H and FFA and has been active in both the Mercer and Henderson County Fairs and showing Cattle and Hogs. Dean also refereed Basketball at Union High for many years. Along with Gary Martin, Dean established and coached Girls Softball in the Henderson County League and coached Little League in Oquawka. He was a member of the former Oquawka Presbyterian Church and currently attends Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth, Illinois. Dean always attended and enjoyed all of his grandchildren's events. He is an avid St.Louis Cardinals fan. Farming and family are his main interest in life. Dean is survived by his wife Nancy Ricketts of Oquawka, Illinois, two daughters Connie (Rod) Mesecher of Stronghurst, Illinois and Patty Callahan of Aledo, Illinois and one son Gary (Dorothy) Ricketts of Monmouth, Illinois. There are seven grandchildren Katie, Kendra, Kyle, Kori, Hannah, Kiera, and Cody. Proceeding Dean in death are his parents, one brother, one sister, and one step brother Services:A private family funeral service is being planned by his family and Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. Interment will be in the Oquawka Cemetery. A memorial fund is being established for the Oquawka Ambulance Service.