Obituary of George J. Rickens

RICKENS George J., 88, Cresson, died May 27, 2014, at home. Born Nov. 28, 1925, in Cresson, son of the late Elmer Sr. and Ida (Gallagher) Rickens. Preceded in death by first wife, Natalie Nina ; son, Brian; son-in-law, John Bonfield; brothers, Ronald, Wayne, Elmer Jr., Clayton and Harry O'Connor; and sisters, Christine Cowan and Dolly Carruthers. Survived by wife, Merry Ann Kish; daughter, Rachelle Rickens-Bonfield, Lititz; granddaughters, Lisa Himes and Marianne Bonfield, both of Lititz; great-grandsons, Nolan and Brady Himes, Lititz; and stepdaughter, Jackie Wertz (Malcolm), Harrisburg. Also survived by sister, Alma Rittner, New York; and special sister-in-law, Gilda Adams and family, Cresson. Army veteran of World War II. Owner of George J. Rickens & Son Plumbing and Heating for 46 years. Member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and American Legion, both of Cresson. Life member of Sankertown VFW and Summit Country Club, Cresson. Former president of Sankertown Borough Council. Delegate to Democratic National Convention held in Florida. Friends received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, Cresson, where vigil for the deceased will be held. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Church, the Rev. Leo F. Arnone. Entombment, church mausoleum. Military graveside rites by Sankertown VFW, Cresson American Legion and other local veteran organizations. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis Xavier Church Renovation Fund.