Mildred Ricker

Mildred McKee Ricker, age 100, of Meta, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at St. Elizabeth Care Center. She was born in Miller County on January 6, 1911, daughter of the late Henry and Frances (Woody) McKee. On January 24, 1931, in Jefferson City, Mildred married James Henry Ricker, who preceded her in death on June 19, 1996. Mildred attended grade school at White School in Miller County and Campground School in Maries County. She later attended Iberia Academy and graduated from there in 1929. She began teaching after graduation from the Academy and continued her education by correspondence, summer school at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, and received her degree in education from Lincoln University in Jefferson City in 1963. From 1929 to 1974, Mildred taught at various schools including Brays School, Campground, Burns School, Meta, Brinktown, Dixon, and St. Elizabeth. From 1974 to 1985, she substituted at St. Elizabeth R-IV. Mildred was a member of the Ricker Memorial Church of the Nazarene. She taught Sunday School and played the piano at her church until she was in her nineties. She is survived by one son, Hirsty Ricker and wife Sharon of Meta; two daughters, Ramona Ricker and Janice Wenzel and husband Bernard, both of Meta; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by one brother, I. D. McKee; one sister, Laura Locke; one son-in-law, Shawn Malone; and one step-grandson, Kyle Malone. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, at Ricker Memorial Church of the Nazarene in VanCleve. Pastor Jake Blankenship and Bro. Manuel Seaton will officiate. Interment will be in Southside Cemetery near Meta. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 17, at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Meta. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ricker Memorial Church. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.fancher-rekusfuneralhomes.com.