Arnold William Ricke

Bossier City, LA

Services celebrating the life of Arnold William Ricke, 80, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel in Haughton with Dr. Cliff Estes pastor of Waller Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.

Arnold was born to Benedict and Mary Ann Rausch Ricke on December 10, 1930 in Sharon, Kansas and passed away on February 5, 2011 at his home surrounded by family.

Arnold proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was retired from Barksdale Air Force Base where he worked for 30 years in the Liquid Fuel and Maintenance Department. He was an avid bowler and horseshoe player.

Arnold was preceded in death by both his parents and four brothers Herman Ricke, Walter Ricke, Lawrence Ricke, Victor Ricke and two sisters Bernadine Engelbrecht and Evaline Grieving . He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Sharon Ricke and their three children Gary Ricke of Corpus Christi, Texas, Perry Ricke and his wife Kim of Bossier City and Debra Stewart and her husband James Stewart of Natchez, Mississippi, five grandchildren Brice Ricke, Jamie Hash and her husband Lee, Alex Stewart, Dray Stewart and Alyssa Stewart and a great grandson William Hash. He is also survived by a brother Benny Ricke and his wife Betty of Medicine Lodge, Kansas and a sister Marceline Simon and her husband Don of Harlegin, Texas, three sisters-in-law, Monica Marie Ricke Hendricks of Sharon, Kansas, LaRita Ricke Beat of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, Kathryn Littlepage and her husband Ben of Colfax, Louisiana and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Brice Ricke, Dray Stewart, James Stewart, Benji Littlepage, Allan Pratt, and Eddie Dinkins.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Bipin Turakhia and his nurse Karen for many years of excellent care and to Dr. Mc Donald and Dr. Durci and their staffs at W.K. Cancer Center for their compassionate care. Special thanks to Agape Hospice especially Elaine, Skip, Jennifer, Mark and Victor.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude or charity of donor’s choice.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.

Hill Crest Funeral Home

318-949-9415