LaRoy “Leroy” Gerd Rickels

LaRoy “Leroy” Gerd Rickels

Monticello

LaRoy “Leroy” Gerd Rickels, age 92, died peacefully in his home April 24, 2024.

Leroy was born on October 20, 1931, to Gerd and Ruth (Robinson) Rickels. Leroy graduated from Monticello High School with the class of 1951. On June 18, 1952, Leroy married the love of his life, Beverly Chapman. Leroy enlisted in the United States Army in December of 1952. After returning from the Army, the couple spent a brief time in Bellevue, Iowa where Leroy was a police officer, before returning to Monticello, where they purchased their farm. This was the start of Leroy’s passion for crop farming and milking dairy cows. He loved the land and all that it offered, and he was most at home in the timber doing what he loved, cutting wood, picking berries and grapes for which he made homemade wine. Leroy enjoyed the outdoors, hunting turkey, deer, and coon. His favorite hunting was for the illusive morel mushroom in the spring.

Leroy made many great friendships over many heated games of Pinochle. He and Bev enjoyed taking their grandkids on summer road trips out West and going on fishing trips to Canada. While Leroy may not have been one to express his faith, he lived his faith daily and would give anything he had to help others. He was the quintessential patriarch of his family and will be missed greatly.

To honor Leroy’s wishes, there will be a private graveside service.

Leroy is survived by his wife Bev of 72 years, his daughters Diane (Gerry) Clements, Vickie (Randy) Miller, granddaughter Cheyanna (Todd) Lambert, great-grandchildren Rileigh (Mason) Newhard, Connor and Carson Lambert, and just recently a great-great granddaughter Hayden Newhard, his sister Sandra Bachara and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded by, his parents, grandson Jayson Miller, his sister Laquitta Good, brother Dick Rickels, his in-laws Vernon and Loretta Chapman, several brothers-in-law, and his beloved coon dog Bart.