John Wesley Ricketts
December 17, 1919 — August 26, 2013
Formerly of Monmouth, Quincy, Illinois
John W. Ricketts, 93, of Quincy, formerly of Monmouth died at 4:20 A.M. Monday, August 26, 2013 at Blessing Hospital, Quincy, IL.
He was born December 17, 1919 in Henderson County, Illinois the son of Asa and Martha (Decker) Ricketts. He was reared and educated in Henderson County, attending schools at Bald Bluff, Keithsburg, and graduating from Onieda High School.
John married Evelyn L. Hilsenhoff in Monmouth on February 3, 1946 and she survives.
John served in the United States Navy from July 1941 until October 1945. He served on the USS Missouri from it's christening, as a Boatswain Mate/Coxswain 2nd Class through the signing of the peace treaty in Tokyo Harbor in 1945.
John farmed in the Kirkwood area for 4 years after returning home from service. He later worked for Illinois Power for 29 years as a lineman, retiring in 1980. He loved traveling and spending time with his family.
He was of Methodist Faith. He was a member of the Monmouth American Legion Post #136.
Surviving is his wife, Evelyn Ricketts of Quincy; one daughter, Lynn (Roger) Hill of Quincy, IL; one son, Gerald Bruce (Michelle) Ricketts of Pacific, MO, 5 grandchildren, Greg (Lisa) Hill of Rockford, MI, Kevin (Angie) Hill of Champaign, IL Rebecca (Justin) Spencer of Pacific, MO, Todd (Kira) Cooper of Crestwood, MO and Mathew Cooper of Washington, MO and five great-grandchildren along with nieces and nephews.
His parents, 4 brothers, Dick, Max, Dean and Norman Ricketts preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at Hoover-Hall Memorial Chapel with Rev. Jon Sims of the First United Methodist Church. Burial with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 136 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2301 will be in Monmouth Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday morning at Hoover-Hall Memorial Chapel where his family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Memorial may be left for Adams County Hospice or the Marion B. Fletcher American Legion Post 136. Online condolences may be left at www.hooverhall.com