Mr. Rickert was a carpenter and a member of the Carpenter’s Local #433. He was a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church, New Athens, IL, and a member of the New Athens Knights of Columbus. John was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. and Rose E., nee Warren, Rickert; two brothers, Harold Rickert and Robert Rickert; and two sisters, Roseanne Rigdon and Mary Warren.
Surviving are his devoted wife of 61 years, Rita F., nee Helfrich, Rickert, whom he married on July 4, 1956, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL;
two daughters, Deborah (Robert) Sherouse of Waldorf, MD, and Diane (Darryl) Mehrmann of New Athens, IL;
two sons, Mark (Tammy) Rickert of New Athens, IL, and Daniel (Jennie) Rickert of Belleville, IL;
eight grandchildren, John Sherouse, Marie Sherouse, Dana (Terry) Heimann, Darren (Dana) Mehrmann; Joshua (Chyanne) Rickert, Sarah (Luke) Wiskamp, Amanda Rickert, and Jacob Rickert;
nine great-grandchildren, Dominick Sherouse, Landon Nock, Peyton Heimann, Wyatt, Wesley, and Wade Mehrmann, Trent Wiskamp, and Drew and Ryen Rickert;
a sister, Shirley Leinecke of New Athens, IL;
and nieces and nephews.
Special thanks are extended to Dr. James Althoff, to Fr. Mark Reyling, and to the many family and friends for their support during this most difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Agatha Catholic School, to the American Cancer Society, to Hospice of Southern Illinois, or in the form of Masses. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, September 30, 2017, at St. Agatha Catholic Church, New Athens, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 noon Saturday, September 30, 2017, at St. Agatha Catholic Church, New Athens, IL, with Fr. Mark Reyling officiating.
Burial with military honors will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.