Rick L. "Ricky" Pullen

Rick L. "Ricky" Pullen, age 52, of Oquawka, Ill., passed away at 9:00 a.m., August 1, 2010 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill. He was born on June 29, 1958 in Burlington, Ia., the son of Jessie L. and Joyce A. Gerhardt Pullen. Rick was reared and educated in Henderson County and graduated from Union High School in 1976. He married Penny M. Meyer on August 22, 1983 in Oquawka, Ill., she survives. Rick first began working at the Oquawka Diner at a young age as a dishwasher and cook. He has worked there his entire career. Ricky was a member of the Oquawka Masonic Lodge 123 AF & AM, and the Oquawka Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed racing, NASCAR, and Sprint Cup racing. Ricky enjoyed hanging around the garage with the guys working on the sprint cars. He liked to do community service, and always put others before himself. Surviving Ricky is his wife Penny M. Pullen of Oquawka, two children, Jessica Pullen and Michael Pullen both of Oquawka, Ill., his mother Joyce Pullen of Oquawka, two sisters Cheryl Crooks (Norris) and Lori Pullen both of Oquawka, three brothers; Scott Pullen of Oquawka, Lawrence Pullen (Michelle) of Carman, Ill., and Jeff Pullen (Suzanne) of Oquawka, Ill. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents, and an Aunt. Services:A Masonic Service and Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 6, 2010 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka. His family will be present to receive friends on Friday from 9:00 a.m. till the time of service. Cremation will be accorded following the service. A memorial fund has been established for the Oquawka Volunteer Fire Department.