Roger L. Ricketts, 79, of rural Rockford died at 11:47 a.m., Sunday, January 23, 2022 at Mercy Health St. Rita's in Lima.
He was born on May 18, 1942, in Liberty Township, the son of the late Niel M. and Martha Elizabeth (Dull) Ricketts. On December 5, 1965, he married the former Carol (Wyatt) Ricketts who survives.
Other family members include his children, Darryl L. (Virginia) Ricketts of Rockford, Melinda K. (Adam) Andrews of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Charlotte R. (Luke) Zuercher of Monroe, Indiana; eight grandchildren, Tiffany Ricketts, Bobby Dicke, Kelly Dicke, Skylr, Andrews, Adain Andrews, Jocelyn (Avery) Connelley, Isabelle Zuercher and Faith Zuercher; eleven great grandchildren; and two sisters, Joy (Jerry) Pollock and Sally (Larry) Tickle.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Janice Evans; a grandson, Keith Dicke; and a brother-in-law, Ralph Evans.
Roger was a 1960 graduate of Ohio City-Liberty High School and served in the Ohio National Guard. He was a lifelong farmer. He had attended the former Mt. Zion Church for many years. Roger was a member of the Harvey Lewis Post #346 of the American Legion in Ohio City where he served as the sergeant-of-arms for many years. He was a member of the Oliver Gang Tractor Club and had served on the Farm Focus committee for several years. Early on he had spent winters in Florida where he worked at Alger Farms. He showed his Oliver tractors at various farms shows and drove them in area parades. He greatly enjoyed hosting music jams at his farm where he joined friends playing the guitar. Most of all he just enjoyed visiting and talking with people.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 28, 2022, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home with Pastor Stuart Wyatt officiating. Interment will follow at Ohio City Woodlawn Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post #346, Ohio City. Calling hours are 2 - 8 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Harvey Lewis Post #346 of the American Legion.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.
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