Richard Bruce Ricklefs, 76, of Ludington, Ml passed away on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Great Lakes Specialty Hospital in Muskegon, MI after being hospitalized for one month. Richard was the son of Charles and Anna (Bentz) Ricklefs. Richard had been diagnosed at the age of three with cerebral palsy and had to make repeated trips to University Hospital in Ann Arbor where a total of 21 surgeries were Performed over a period of 23 years. Despite his debilitating disease, with the help of family, friends and sponsorship of the Ludington Rotary Club, he was able to attend school and graduated in 1961 at the age of twenty-three. He then attended Michigan Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and was in a 24-month drafting program, which he accomplished despite having two additional surgeries. About the same time he was deemed ready for employment, a vacancy occurred in the Drafting Department of Jackson Vibrators, Inc. Within a week of his interview, he was assigned to detailed drafting and was accepted on equal footing for his work load. Their only adaption was taking over his turn to go for morning coffee. With determination and perseverance to meet his goals and with a bright outlook and acceptance of what life could offer him, his employment career spanned thirty years of happy and satisfying productivity. After retirement, he enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies, including reading, watching all sports, listening to music, photography and developing his own pictures and woodworking in his own workshop. After Richard’s mother passed away in 1991, his sister, Sheryl, moved into the family home to assist Richard with his daily needs but she also introduced him to many new interests when he became wheelchair bound. Despite the bulk of his wheelchair, he attended concerts, experienced mall shopping (he became an avid shopper), and enjoyed dining at a wide variety of restaurants. He also enjoyed the company of Sheryl’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who all loved their “Uncle Dude”. He was also devotedly cared for by Chris Elliott of Ludington for the last seven years. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Gary and Raymond. He is survived by two sisters, Charleene Cooper of Grand Haven, Sheryl O’Brien of Ludington, two brothers, Michael and Kaye (Fisher) Ricklefs of Ludington, and James Ricklefs of Ludington, sister-in-law Marie Ricklefs of Muskegon and many nieces and nephews. At Richard’s request, there will be no memorial service. Cremation has taken place and a private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington. Donations may be made to the Michigan Cerebral Palsy Children’s Fund. Please feel free to visit Richard’s personal page of memories at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a memory. The family has entrusted Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center with arrangements.
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Richard Ricklefs
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