John Michael Father Ricker

Reverend John Michael Ricker, 87, passed away on Wednesday September 6, 2017, at the Sacred Heart Home in Oregon, Ohio. Father Ricker was born to Hubert and Mary Ricker on August 22, 1930, in Lima, Ohio. He was ordained a priest on August 14, 1955, at Saint John the Evangelist Church Delphos, Ohio, by the Most Reverend George J. Rehring, Bishop of Toledo. After ordination he served as Associate Pastor in the following parishes - Norwalk Saint Paul, Toledo Saint Thomas, Toledo Saint Clement, Fostoria Saint Wendelin and Assumption Saint Mary. He was also the Assistant Principal at Cardinal Stritch High School from 1961-1964. He served in a number of parishes as Pastor - Saint Stephen, Republic Saint Aloysius, Saint Peter Upper Sandusky, Vermilion Saint Mary and Fremont Sacred Heart. He also served in Honduras (1986-1989), Bolivia, and Zimbabwe Africa (1995-1996) Father Ricker is survived by his brother Kevin (Kathleen) Ricker, as well as cousins from Delphos, Ohio. There will be the Reception of Body and Vespers on Sunday, September 10, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. in Saint Ignatius Church, Oregon, Ohio. Immediately following this service there will be Visitation until 8:00 p.m. in the Church. There will also be Visitation on Monday prior to the Funeral Mass at the church. The Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Ignatius Church at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2017, with the Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, Bishop of Toledo as the Celebrant. A graveside will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Johns Cemetery in Delphos, Ohio. Services have been entrusted to Hoeflinger-Shank Funeral Home 3500 Navarre Ave. Oregon, Ohio 43616 (419-691-6768) The family would like to thank the staff at Mercy St. Charles and Mercy St. Vincent, many of whom knew Fr. Mike from his years of working there. So many from St. V’s became his caregivers and helped in so many ways- from smiles while cleaning his room, to food for the family, to compassionate care. Please know he is sending his blessing down to each of youPlease send donations to Little Sisters of The Poor who so tenderly and lovingly cared for Fr. Mike while he resided there and in his last days. We will be forever grateful for their kindness and prayers. The family would also like to thank the staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their kind and compassionate care during their time of need. Condolences and fond memories can be sent to the family at: www.hoeflingerfuneralhome.com.