Gilbert “Gib” Ricke, 81

Gilbert “Gib” Ricke, 81, died August 3, 2016 at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Greensburg.  He was born January 16, 1935 in Franklin County, Indiana the son of Edward and Louise Meyer Ricke.  Gib graduated from Clarksburg High School in 1953 where he excelled in sports. He received an academic scholarship to attend Ball State University and attended Miller Business School in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He served two years in the United States Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Prior to entering the army, he was employed at the former Bohn Aluminum & Brass factory. After the army he worked at the Public Telephone Company as office accountant, he was office manager of the Decatur County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in Greensburg and he was a Program Specialist for the United States Department of Agriculture, a Federal Program at the State level, in Indianapolis for thirty years. After retiring from the federal government, Gib was employed twelve years as a food inspector for the Decatur County Board of Health. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Caring Connection of Columbus, served on the Parish Council three years of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, of which he was a member, an usher for forty years, a boy scout leader for 4 years, a fifty year member of the Knights of Columbus where he served as Chairman of the bingo committee twenty five years, K of C bell ringer for the Cheer Fund and other committees and former member of the Conservation Club, Greensburg Adult Center and a member of NAMI- National Alliance for Mental Illness. He was the liaison for NAMI to Madison State Hospital for several years. Gib also served fourteen years on the Greensburg Housing Authority Board.  He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing softball for the Strasburger Barber Shop and Porter’s Furniture teams. Gib especially enjoyed seeing his children and grandchildren participate in sports and musical theater. His favorite pastime was loving, teaching, and cheering for his nine grandchildren in every aspect of their lives. He rarely missed any of their games, meets, concerts or awards ceremonies and he never missed a chance to brag about their accomplishments to all who would listen. He enjoyed watching NCAA basketball, Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Reds. His hobbies included: fishing, euchre, crossword puzzles and collecting coins. He also enjoyed the companionship of walking the family dogs, Bizzi and Sophie.  Gib is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda O’Brien, children, Dr. Michael and Kimberly Kastner of Toledo, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Chris and Sandy Welage and Mr. and Mrs. John D. and Anita Moeller of Greensburg; nine grandchildren, Kevin, Ryan and Derek Kastner, Sara and Cory Fischer, Laura and Claire Welage, and Kyle, Kasey, and Aaron Moeller; brother, Will Ricke, sisters, Mrs. Robert, Marlene, Wolter of Greensburg and Mrs. Justin, Marilyn, Schroeder of Rushville. He was preceded in death by his son Michael, his parents, Edward and Louise Meyer Ricke, sister, Anna Mae Ricke Ryan and brother, Clifford, “Skip”, Ricke, sister-in-law, Dot Koors Ricke, brother-in-law, Robert Wolter, and several nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be at Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home on Sunday with a rosary service at 1:00 p.m. followed by visitation until 4 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greensburg at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 8 with Rev. John Meyer officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with military graveside rites by the American Legion Post # 129 and the United States Army.  The Ricke family thanks the wonderful care-givers at Hickory Creek of Greensburg for the past four years.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Church building fund, St. Mary’s School, or NAMI, National Alliance for Mental Illness of South Central Indiana.  Online condolences can be made at www.popfuneralhome.com