Kenneth Ricks

Kenneth “Kenny” Ricks, 94, Rochester, passed away at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at Woodlawn Hospital.

On May 24, 1926, he was born in Francesville to Chester and Blanche Archer Ricks. As one of five children, he shared his childhood with three sisters and a brother.

He and Mary Emma Murfitt were married on July 15, 1951, in the Leiters Ford United Methodist Church. They shared 62 years of life’s adventures. Mary passed away on Oct. 8, 2013.

The young Ricks family moved to the Fulton County community in the 1960s. As a team, he and Mary managed the family farm.  In the early years, they hand milked a fine herd of over 60 Holsteins. They farmed over 500 acres, planting, making hay and harvesting. In addition to the cows, they cared for pigs, ducks, goats and sheep.

Livestock auctions, sales and working on machinery kept him very busy. He was well-liked and well-known in the Amish communities. He assisted them with transportation.

Square dancing on Saturday nights in Plymouth and Delong were always enjoyed. Traveling and camping in the motor home was a great time to visit family and friends. Their favorite destinations were Florida, North Carolina and South Dakota.

Left to cherish the memories of Kenny are four daughters: Geneva Bickerstaff, Winamac; Nancy White, Plymouth; Joy Hornburger, Kewanna; and Rosemary (Jerry) Mandarino, Chattanooga, Tenn.; a son: Jim (Janet) Ricks, Culver; 16   grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Kenny in death are his parents; wife; grandson: Nicholas White; three sisters: Betty Daugherty, Fern O’Neil, Evelyn Norris; and a brother: Ernest Ricks.

Private family services will be held. Interment will be in the Leiters Ford Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Good Family Funeral Home of Rochester.