Obituary for George Peter Rickerl
George Peter Rickerl, 96, of Clinton, Iowa passed away at MercyOne Medical Center on Friday, May 15, 2020. A graveside service will take place at 12 pm on Thursday, May 21, at St. Mary’s Cemetery. A visitation will take place from 3 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, May 20, at Lemke Funeral Homes – South Chapel (2610 Manufacturing Drive). Lemke Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements.
George was born October 30, 1923 near Old Browns Station, Iowa, the son of John Francis and Cecelia (Sterk) Rickerl. His family lived in Charlotte, Iowa from 1930 until 1937 and then moved to Clinton in 1937. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1942. He enlisted in the Navy V-5 program and trained to fly dive bombers during WWII. He went to the Pacific theater in 1945 with the Naval Air Transport Service and was stationed in the Philippines, Guam, and Peleliu until June 1946.
He married Rosemary Kuehner on September 7, 1957 in St. Mary’s Church in Clinton, Iowa.
He was employed at Climax Engineering Co. 1946 to 1947 and E. I. DuPont Company from 1947 until retiring from the Day Laboratory in 1985.
He was a member of the former St. Patrick’s Parish, St. Mary’s Parish, where he served on the Parish Council for 14 years and served as usher for many years at St. Mary’s and Prince of Peace. He was currently a member of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish.
George loved fishing and hunting in his earlier years and was an avid Cubs fan who never gave up hope for a World Series win. He got that wish on November 3, 2016.
He is survived by his wife Rosemary; children: Paul George Rickerl of Endicott, NY, Monica Louise Rickerl of Friendswood, TX, Eric John (Renee) Rickerl of Colorado Springs, CO, Theodore Louis (Joanie) Rickerl of Waller, TX, and Samuel James (Jess) Rickerl of DeWitt; grandchildren: Jessica Twyford (Ryan) Van Landingham, Jacquelyn Twyford (Tom) Leu, Jennifer Twyford (Anthony) Hranitzky, Julia Twyford, Johanna Twyford, Jane Marie Twyford, Jacob Twyford, Joseph Twyford, Bethany Brewster, Meglyn Rickerl (Daniel) Masters and Madison Celeste Rickerl, all of Texas, George Rodger (Nayely) Rickerl and Nathaniel Quillin of California, Alexandra Drury (Bryan) Wright of Colorado, Juliana¬¬¬ Rickerl (Michael) DeLisi, Jeffrey Rickerl, Haley Yutesler, and Drew Jones of Iowa, and Sophia Marie Rickerl of New York; great-grandsons: Wyatt Van Landingham, Alexander Leu, and Luke Hranitsky, all of Texas; and a sister, Virginia (Jeanne) Mumm of Clinton. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Lorraine Mary Twyford, grandson Benjamin Rickerl, grandson-in-law Christopher Brewster of Texas, four sisters, six brothers and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Clinton, Iowa.
Fond memories and condolences for George’s family may be left at www.lemkefuneralhomes.com, obituary page.
George was born October 30, 1923 near Old Browns Station, Iowa, the son of John Francis and Cecelia (Sterk) Rickerl. His family lived in Charlotte, Iowa from 1930 until 1937 and then moved to Clinton in 1937. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1942. He enlisted in the Navy V-5 program and trained to fly dive bombers during WWII. He went to the Pacific theater in 1945 with the Naval Air Transport Service and was stationed in the Philippines, Guam, and Peleliu until June 1946.
He married Rosemary Kuehner on September 7, 1957 in St. Mary’s Church in Clinton, Iowa.
He was employed at Climax Engineering Co. 1946 to 1947 and E. I. DuPont Company from 1947 until retiring from the Day Laboratory in 1985.
He was a member of the former St. Patrick’s Parish, St. Mary’s Parish, where he served on the Parish Council for 14 years and served as usher for many years at St. Mary’s and Prince of Peace. He was currently a member of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish.
George loved fishing and hunting in his earlier years and was an avid Cubs fan who never gave up hope for a World Series win. He got that wish on November 3, 2016.
He is survived by his wife Rosemary; children: Paul George Rickerl of Endicott, NY, Monica Louise Rickerl of Friendswood, TX, Eric John (Renee) Rickerl of Colorado Springs, CO, Theodore Louis (Joanie) Rickerl of Waller, TX, and Samuel James (Jess) Rickerl of DeWitt; grandchildren: Jessica Twyford (Ryan) Van Landingham, Jacquelyn Twyford (Tom) Leu, Jennifer Twyford (Anthony) Hranitzky, Julia Twyford, Johanna Twyford, Jane Marie Twyford, Jacob Twyford, Joseph Twyford, Bethany Brewster, Meglyn Rickerl (Daniel) Masters and Madison Celeste Rickerl, all of Texas, George Rodger (Nayely) Rickerl and Nathaniel Quillin of California, Alexandra Drury (Bryan) Wright of Colorado, Juliana¬¬¬ Rickerl (Michael) DeLisi, Jeffrey Rickerl, Haley Yutesler, and Drew Jones of Iowa, and Sophia Marie Rickerl of New York; great-grandsons: Wyatt Van Landingham, Alexander Leu, and Luke Hranitsky, all of Texas; and a sister, Virginia (Jeanne) Mumm of Clinton. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Lorraine Mary Twyford, grandson Benjamin Rickerl, grandson-in-law Christopher Brewster of Texas, four sisters, six brothers and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Clinton, Iowa.
Fond memories and condolences for George’s family may be left at www.lemkefuneralhomes.com, obituary page.