LeRoy Ricke, 83, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Thursday evening, February 10, 2022, at his home.

Born November 17, 1938, in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, he was the son of Nicholas and Thresia (Ditgen) Ricke.  He was raised and received his education in Conway Springs and Cheney.  After school, he worked with his father at the family's filling station.

LeRoy was united in marriage to Jayree Meridith on January 23, 1960 at St. Joseph's Church in Conway Springs.  The couple began their 48 year marriage in a small apartment at Suppesville while managing the Feed Bag Cafe.  They also lived in Norwich before moving to Wichita, where LeRoy and his brother-in-law, Robert owned two Mobile stations.  In 1974, the family settled in Cheney, Kansas.  LeRoy began his career at Cessna Aircraft Company in 1964 and remained there for over 40 years, retiring as a Supervisor in 2005.  Jayree preceded him in death on July 19, 2008.  LeRoy moved to Winfield in 2015 to be near family.

He was a member of Cheney United Methodist Church for many years and joined Millington Street Baptist Church when he moved to Winfield.  He enjoyed woodworking and going to the casino.  In 1988, LeRoy and Jayree bought a cabin at Shell Knob on Table Rock Lake in Missouri.  The family made many wonderful memories while staying at the cabin.

His family includes his son Jay L. Ricke and wife, Tina of Winfield; son-in-law Bruce Dawson and wife, Karry of Saskatoon, SK, Canada; his grandchildren, Mariah (Jason), Nicole, Tasha, April (Jeff), Jessica (Justin), Krystyn (Dustin), Terry, Daniel, Jayln (Sam), Katlyn; 18 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, LeRoy was preceded in death by his daughter LaDonna Dawson, a great grandson Robert Elam, and four siblings, Vet Ricke, Esther Ingram, Marvin Ricke, and Irene Ternes.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Millington Street Baptist Church.  Graveside services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. that afternoon at Fairview Cemetery in Cheney.  A visitation will be held at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield on Monday, February 14, 2022 from 4 to 8 P.M.  The family will greet visitors from 4 to 7 that evening.

A memorial has been established in LeRoy's name for Victory In The Valley.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

Mr. Ricke's funeral service will be livestreamed from Millington Street Baptist Church's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Millington-Street-Baptist-Church-119927784690656