Richard R. Ricketts

Richard R. “Dick” Ricketts, 80, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died Saturday, May 21, 2005 at his residence.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at Asbury United Methodist Church, Bettendorf, where he was a member. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday evening at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. Family interment services with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #246 of Moline, Illinois will be held at the Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church.
Dick was born October 4, 1924 in Rock Island, Illinois, the son of Ira & Mildred Ricketts. He was united in marriage to Ellenor Creviston in 1946. She preceded him in death on October 11, 1967. He was later united in marriage to Irma Dierksen on November 9, 1972 in Bettendorf.
Dick was employed as a lab manger for Sivyer Steel in Bettendorf.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in the 11th Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He served in the South Pacific, the Phillipine Islands, Okinawa, and the Occupation of Japan. Upon his honorable discharge, he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with a Bronze Service Star and the Phillipine Liberation Ribbon.
Dick enjoyed woodworking, golf, baseball, American history, gardening and especially enjoyed having coffee with his friends at Ross’ Restaurant in Bettendorf. Dick was very proud of his grandchildren who were a special joy in his life.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Irma; his daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca & Chico Kunz of Davenport, Iowa; his sons and daughters-in-law, Roger & Janet Ricketts of Canton, Missouri and Joe & Melody Ricketts of Davenport; his chosen children, Mary & Ron Heskett of Bettendorf, Dottie & Scott Hearne of Blue Grass, Iowa. Mark & Becky Bray of Bettendorf and Jackie & Rick Dietz of Davenport; fifteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his sister, Barbara McDevitt of Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, his son, John in February 2005, and several brothers and sisters.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Richard’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.