Larry D. Ricke

Larry Dempsey Ricke, 59, Beech Grove, passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at his residence. Born, January 16, 1950 in Greensburg, Indiana, he was the son of Paul and Jo Ann (Clark) Ricke. After graduating from Greensburg High School in 1968, Larry enlisted in the US Navy and was called to duty in November of 1968 where he joined the Seabees Unit. After basic training he was shipped out to Danag in the South China Sea. While there he drove water wells and ran a Pan (dirt mover), helped patch roads and built bridges. He was honorably discharged from the Navy at which time he worked for Ryle Construction in Greensburg. He then was employed for CUI which became Milestone Contractors. He was a highway superintendant with Milestone for 34 years. He left in 2004 due to health reasons. During Larry’s lifetime, he developed many friends along the way. He was always “Large Time Larry”. He met no stranger and was always happy to share his many jokes / stories with all. Larry is survived by his wife, Peggy, his ex-wife, Sue and children, Jason, Greensburg, Kent, Indianapolis and Lori, Greensburg. Larry is also survived by his father, Paul; sisters, Carolyn Hoskins, Marge (Dennis Weber, Paula Warner, Jonita (Jerry) Hickam, Rita (Mike) Menkedick, Jackie (Bryan) Ramer; brother, John Ricke; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Public visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home in Greensburg. Larry appreciated all of his visitors and phone calls during his illness. He loved to laugh! A special thanks to his nurse, Thom Horn, St. Francis Hospice. They had lots of laughs too! Memorials may be made to the St. Francis Hospice, 5255 E. Stop 11 Road, Suite 245, Indianapolis, IN 46237. In lieu of flowers, Larry has asked that donations be made to “Peggy’s Vegas Fund” (Larry’s last laugh) He will be sadly missed but he left a lot of wonderful memories.