Fred Rickert

Fred A. Rickert Jr., 70, of Beach Park, Illinois, formerly of Grayslake, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at Lake Forest Hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sally Ericson Rickert; a sister, Marie Koskey of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; his children Reta (Roger) Muellemann, Richard (Valerie) Rickert, Christopher (Marla) Rickert, Anne (Lee) Fuson, Fred A. (Kimberly) Rickert III, Sara (Joe) Zelek, Paul (Jennifer) Rickert, Jonathan (Lisa) Rickert, Philip (Melissa) Rickert and Michael (Jennifer) Rickert; and fifteen grandchildren, Melissa, Patrick, Meghan, Ryan, Kelly, Rachel, Kyle, Evan, Adam, Cole, Olivia, Calvin, Karley, Steven and Jorryn, all of whom will miss him deeply. Fred graduated from Grayslake Community High School. He was an electrician by trade and was a member of I.B.E.W. Local 150. For many years he owned and operated Rickert Electrical Contracting in Grayslake, Illinois. Later in his career he worked as an electrician for Kelso-Burnett in Zion, Illinois and retired from the company in 1997. He had many varied interests which he shared with his family. Fred loved to sail since he was a young man and was a member of Waukegan Power Squadron. He was a life member of the Rock River Thresheree and an avid steam buff. He spent many a Labor Day weekend helping run a narrow gauge railroad or the steam engines at the Rock River Thresheree Reunion Show in Edgerton, Wisconsin. Fred could often be found involved in the restoration of antique steam traction engines or working and/or playing with his children and grandchildren on his inch-and-a-half scale steam railroad. Fred was preceded in death first by his father Fred A. Rickert Sr., and then his mother Reta L. (nee Hawkins) Rickert. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 13, 2008, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, Illinois. Funeral services will be Thursday, August 14th, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Community Church with Pastor Jon Wiziarde officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. Memorial contributions in Fred's memory may be made to either Camp Zion, a ministry of Christ Community Church, or, Rock River Thresheree, W2354 Hwy V. Helenville, Wisconsin 53137.