Ronald Laverne Ricker, 91, of Keokuk, IA, died Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, IA. He was born June 23, 1915 in Keokuk, IA, the son of Leonard and Beulah Wilsey Ricker. On December 14, 1947, Ronald was united in marriage to Geneal Blan in Keokuk, IA. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Philip Ricker and his wife Frances of Asheville, NC, and James Ricker and his wife Sue of Hamilton, IL, one daughter, Lori Ricker of The Colony, TX, three grandchildren, Joshua, Alexander and Taya, three step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren, two sisters, Elsie Richardson of Keokuk, IA, and Barbara Wichmann of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty and Mary Helen, and two brothers, Joseph and Robert. Ronald graduated from Keokuk High School with the Class of 1934. He attended Iowa State College and Grinnell College. He was employed at the Mississippi River Power Company until he entered the United States Navy. He proudly served his country during WW II in the South Pacific. After he returned from the Navy, he operated the Meadow Gold Ice Cream Store in Keokuk, IA. Throughout the years he had been employed by the U.S. Corp of Engineers, was a salesman for Northwestern Seed Company and George Keller & Sons in Quincy, IL, owned and operated the LaHarpe Seed and Farm Supply at LaHarpe, IL, and built and operated the North Villa Apartments in Carthage, IL. He had been a factory representative for a number of grain storage, handling and testing equipment companies for grain elevators and feed mills. He was the owner of the Ronald Ricker Equipment Company until his retirement in 1986. Ronald was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Keokuk, IA, the Elks Club, the American Legion Post #41 and the VFW Post 3508. He had been very active in the American Heart Association. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing in the winter. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 10 at the First Lutheran Church in Keokuk, IA with Pastor Terry Mahnke officiating. Burial with military rites was in the Keokuk National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church.