Russell Ralph Bricker (1999)

BRICKER, SPEER, FITZGERALD, MCCLURG, HARVEY

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 5/26/2006 at 10:54:40

Earlham Library Obituary Collection
1999

Russell Ralph Bricker, 79, of Earlham died of cancer Sept. 18, 1999, at Winterset Care Center South.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Penn Center Methodist Church with the Rev. Alberta Irvin officiating. Burial was at Penn Center Cemetery with military rites performed by the Earlham American Legion Post 158.

Russell Bricker was born Oct. 6, 1919, to Ralph Agustus and Mabel Claire (Speer) Bricker of rural Earlham. He grew up on the family farm. His marriage to Irma Lee Fitzgerald took place on Sept. 20, 1953. Russell served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of technical sergeant. As an aerial engineer aboard a C-47, he earned five Bronze Stars and an air medal while serving in the European, African and Middle East Theaters. He worked as a mechanic for the Earlham Ford Garage for 35 years. He also was the horseshoe tournament director for the Madison County Fair and Covered Bridge Festival for several years.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Bruce Russell Bricker, two sisters, Ila McClurg (husband Lloyd) of Winterset and Hazel Harvey (husband Henry) of Waukee; one brother, Melvin Bricker (wife Joy) of Earlham; and several nieces and nephews.