Richard Fickert

Richard “Dick” Fickert, 76, of Rockford, Ohio, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 12, 2019, at the Laurels of Shane Hill, where he had been a patient.  He was born on September 9, 1943, in Decatur, Indiana, the son of Roma “Red” and Helen (Case) Fickert. He was a Parkway graduate of the Class of 1962, and on August 21, 1965, he married the love of his life, Virginia “Gini” Hofmann, who survives in Rockford.  Dick had worked at General Electric for 21 years, and then at Honda for 17 years before retiring. Loving ponies and horses, he competed with his pulling horses, and then trained pacer race horses, spanning a 40 year period. He loved his horses and working with them.  He had lived his entire life in the area and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Celina. He was also a member of the Mercer County Horsemen’s Association. He served his country proudly during the Vietnam Conflict, from February, 1966 to January, 1968. He enjoyed watching the Cincinnati Reds and gardening.  He was an avid gardener, and famous for his large garden with all his vegetables—especially his onions.

Surviving is his wife Gini, a son, Ron (Sherry) Fickert of Houston, Ohio, three grandsons:  Lee (Jess) Jury, Tyler Fickert, and Dustin (Jackie) Fickert, and four great-grandchildren: Bella, Noah, Cuyler, and Hayden Jury.  Dick also had 2 sisters-in-law and 2 brothers- in-law, Dianne (Alan) Schott of Willshire, Ohio, and Karen (Rob) Egley of Decatur, Indiana, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  Deceased in addition to his parents, is one son, Todd Fickert.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Main Street in Celina, with Rev. Dr. Jeff Gramza officiating.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, with military graveside services by the Eichar-DeCurtins VFW #5713 in Celina, Ohio. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford and on Thursday, one hour prior to the service at the church.  Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association or to State of the Heart Hospice, or to the Donor’s Choice. Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com