Skip to content

Jackie Rickle

Jean Jacqueline “Jackie” Kirkwood Rickle, 93, of Carey, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Primrose of Findlay surrounded by her loved ones.
On March 21, 1928, Jackie was born in Carey, the youngest of five children of the late Roy and Myrtle (McKay) Kirkwood. She graduated from Carey High School in the class of 1946, and attended Woodbury College, Los Angeles, Calif., in business and commercial art.
Shortly following graduation, Jackie married the love of her life, Gerold “Dick” Seth Rickle on Jan. 22, 1949, in Plymouth. Together they shared 32 years of marriage, lovingly raising one daughter, Michelle Eileen Rickle. He preceded her in death on Oct. 31, 1981.
For 36 years, Jackie worked for Columbia Gas of Ohio, where she worked her way up to being a division accounting supervisor. Over the years, she worked in their Carey, Fostoria and Findlay offices, earning the prestigious orchid award for 25 plus years for having a perfect audit. She retired in 1983. In 1993, she was instrumental in establishing the Carey Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as their executive director for seven years, always doing all she could to help the Village of Carey thrive.
She served as president of the Lake Erie District Quarter Century Club for two terms. She was a life member of the Gasco Club. She was a Past Matron of the late Crawford Chapter #168 Order of the Eastern Star and served as a Grand Page in 1953 for the Grand Chapter of the OES of Ohio. She was currently a member of the Warpole Chapter #366 OES of Upper Sandusky, from where she was recently given a 70-year member pin. She served on the Rainbow Board in Carey in 1965, and was given the honor to be given a membership in the “Organization of the Order of the Eagles Feather” of Indian Nations. She was voted a member of the Sioux and Navajo tribes of the Indian Nations.
A lifelong member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Carey, she served as a Sunday school teacher there for many years. She also was a member of the Community Improvement Corporation, serving as a senior citizen board member. She was a former member of the Desk and Derrick and Zonta Clubs of Findlay. She was a member of the Gas Company Retirees Group. She was proud to be the first councilwoman of the Village of Carey. She served on the boards of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement Groups, the Zoning Board of Appeals, along with the Airport Authority Committee. She served for two years as president of the Carey Community Chest. She was awarded the Outstanding Senior Citizen of Wyandot County by the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging in 2000. She was a member of the Wyandot County Visitors Bureau, Historical Societies of Wyandot County, Mohawk and Carey areas. She also was a member of the National Rifle Association.
Generous beyond measure, Jackie believed in the power of philanthropy. There are too many places she donated to to mention, with some of the most notable being: Carey Public Schools, Carey Fire Department, Carey EMS and Carey Police Department, where she helped get their 911 system and their drug dog, Ace. Also, it should be noted, she would have preferred this paragraph not be in her obituary. She believed in giving quietly.
An avid Buckeye fan, Jackie enjoyed watching The Ohio State University’s football and basketball games. She was known for not answering the telephone or doorbell if one of the games was in progress. She enjoyed the coffee-ketchers, who gathered each morning for cups of coffee at her house. Her hobbies were doing crafts, knitting, crocheting, sewing, working in the garden and traveling. She liked to go fishing up at a fishing camp in White Fish Falls, Ontario, Canada, and did hunt small game in her earlier life. She was an avid reader and was very fond of all the cats she had over the years. Their names were: Tootles, Cotton, Silver, Ming, Stripes, Snow, Midnight and Pun-Kin.
Up for anything, Jackie was ready for anything and everything in a moment’s notice. She was a fiercely loyal friend and the best person to have in your corner. Not only did Jackie give philanthropically, she also shared her wisdom and knowledge abundantly, making her a wonderful mentor to so many over the years.
She will be missed by her son-in-law, Lt. Col. Kenneth B. Bell (USAF retired); three grandchildren, Stacey (Patrick) McMahon, Joel (Julia) Bell and Kirsten (Alberto) Crotte; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Betty Bardon and Phylis Rickle; and many nieces and nephews.
Including her husband and parents, Jackie was preceded in death by her daughter, Major Michelle Eileen Rickle Bell (USAF retired); brother, Roy Edward Kirkwood; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Gladys Ouida (Richard) Yates, Dora Eileen (John) Borentz and Mary Joseph (Aldo) Cesarini; two sisters-in-law, Treva (John) Bakies and Mary (Dwight) Sammet Rickle; brothers-in-law, Billy Gene Rickle and Marion Bardon.
Her extended family will greet friends from 3-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25, at Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, Carey. Services honoring her life well lived will also held be held there at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, with the Rev. Bill Schultz of Christ Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Carey.
A luncheon hosted by Carey Fire Department was held at the fire hall following the service at the cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Carey Food Pantry, Carey EMS, Carey Fire Department or Dorcas Carey Public Library, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
A quote Jackie had cut out to share, “I believe in hard work, self-reliance and the promise of America, upward mobility through education and sustained effort. A sense of humor is the prelude to faith and laughter is the beginning of prayer.” – John H. Knowles
And in her own words, “Miss me, but no tears.”
Condolences may be expressed to the family via www.StombaughBatton.com.

Leave a Comment