Velone Bricker

Velone L. Bricker, 94, formerly of Rockford, walked into the open arms of her Lord and Savior at 5:25 a.m., December 20, 2012, at Elmwood Assisted Living, New Bremen, Ohio. She was born March 9, 1918, in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, to Ezra and Nellie (Gray) Laffin, who preceded her in death. On March 29, 1941, she married Lowell Stanley Bricker, with whom she shared 60 loving years of marriage until his death on June 17, 2001. Mrs. Bricker was a homemaker and was very active in the Rockford Evangelical United Brethren Church for more than 70 years. During that time, she taught many Sunday School classes, sang in the choir, taught Vacation Bible School, and was active in many Women's Christian service groups, including serving as Christian Personhood chairman for many years. In the community, she was active in the Parent Teacher Association, Rockford Band Boosters, local Minstrel shows, Bloodmobile, and Migrant Teaching Program. She also worked for many years at the House of Fashion in Celina and the Fashion Tree in Van Wert. Velone was active in the Rockford United Methodist Church. She had a love for flowers and enjoyed working in her many flower gardens. Survivors include two daughters, Judith (Larry) Coppess of Minster, Ohio and Joyce Miller of Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin; five grandchildren: Lori (Joseph) Cox, Suwanee, Georgia; Julia Hatch, Lewis Center, Ohio; Misty (Doug) Winkleman, Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin; Leslie (Sinclair) Holberg, Griffin, Georgia; Eric (Kelly) Coppess, Tipp City, Ohio. Eleven great grandchildren survive: Haley, Kimberley, and Morgan Cox; Bailey and Sydney Hatch; Lynsey, Alissa, Jason, and Jordan Winkleman; Rachel Holberg; and Aiden Coppess. Preceding her in death was a brother-in-law, Kahl Bricker; sister-in-law, Madonna Bricker; son-in-law, Dr. David Miller; a granddaughter, Christian Miller; and a step grandson, Steven Miller. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio, with Pastor Gary Hohman officiating. Burial will be in Swamp College Cemetery, Celina, Ohio. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday prior to the funeral from 9:30 am up until the time of the service. Memorials may be directed to Grand Lake Hospice, 1122 E. Spring St., St. Marys, Ohio, 45885, or to WTLW-Channel 44 TV station, Lima, Ohio.