Eugene "Gene" H. Ricker's Obituary
Eugene "Gene" Ricker Obituary
Columbus Grove, Ohio Eugene "Gene" H. Ricker, 78, of Columbus Grove, met his Heavenly Father on April 25, 2018. He was a friendly man who never met a stranger. His warm hugs and gentle, kind heart reflected the love and compassion he had for others. Gene will be greatly missed by family and friends. He was born on March 21, 1940 to Ralph H. and Anna Marie (Oglesbee) Ricker. They both preceded him in death. On September 1, 1962, he married the love of his life, Sharon (Unverferth) Ricker, who survives in Columbus Grove. Gene is also survived by his four children. They include three sons, Terry Ricker of Ottawa, Todd (Sue) Ricker, Chad (Michelle) Ricker and a daughter, Nikki (Ryan) Benroth all of Columbus Grove. He is also survived by a son in-law, Rick Halker of Columbus Grove. He was blessed with 18 grandchildren, Amber (Jeff) Linstedt, Ashley (Arin) Coy, Brittany (Adam Hempker) Halker, Breanne Halker, Chelsea (Tyler) Myers, Devin and Zack Ricker, Eli Ricker, Anna (Connor Devine) Ricker, Alayna Ricker, Isaac, Jacob, Caleb and Abby Ricker, Saige, Hagan, Jace and Eden Benroth.; and five great grandchildren, Zane and Briggs Linstedt, Paisley and Parker Coy, and Colton Myers. Gene was also blessed to have four siblings, a sister, Helen Warnecke of Glandorf, and three brothers, George (Connie) Ricker, Dennis (Cheryl) Ricker and Rick (Kathy) Ricker all of Columbus Grove; and brother and sister in-law, Clem Steffan of Ottawa and Bev Unverferth of Kalida. He will be missed by his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherry Marie Halker, May 2, 2013; brothers and sisters in-law, Urban Warnecke, Tom & Alice Unverferth, Phylis Steffan, Forrest & Eileen Basinger, Mel Unverferth, and Dan Unverferth. Gene was a graduate of Columbus Grove High School, class 1958. He retired from Philip's after 30 years. Gene was the owner of Ricker's Party Shop for 18 years and His and Her Fashions for 10 years, both of Columbus Grove. After retirement, Gene volunteered with the Columbus Grove Athletic Boosters working at the concession stand for various sporting events for 20 years and served as Vice President. He supported the school and enjoyed their musical events. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Columbus Grove Bulldogs, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Browns and Cavaliers. He loved his family and attended as many grandchildren's ballgames as possible. He also thoroughly enjoyed his morning coffee shop talks at the "Institute of Higher Learning," where they would solve the world's problems. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at Church of The Good Shepherd, Columbus Grove. Pastor Michael Whitman will officiate with burial to follow in Osborne Cemetery, Columbus Grove. Friends may call Sunday 4:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, 2:00-8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at Church of The Good Shepherd. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sherry Halker Pink Ribbon Warrior Fund, the Columbus Grove Athletic Boosters or TV-44. Online condolences may be expressed at hartmansonsfuneralhome.com.
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