Paul Edward Ricketts, 85, of Covington, IN passed away April 7, 2024 in Lancaster, KY

He was born at home in Covington, IN on October 6, 1938

Paul married Jean E. Foster on June 7, 1957

They were married for almost 67 years and raised 7 children together as well as many grandchildren  & great grandchildren

Paul was proceeded in death by:

His parents Elmer & Margaret Ricketts

Daughter Paula Anthony

Son-In-Law Alex Williams

Daughter-In-Law Donna Ricketts

Grandson James Paul Pomerantz

Paul is survived by 2 siblings:

Sophie (Don) Talbott

Dan (Shirley – D) Ricketts

Paul is also survived by 6 of 7 children and their growing families:

Sharon (Alex – D) Williams

Heidi (Curtis) Crook

Christian Crook

Joshua (Stephanie) Baldwin

Ewen Baldwin

Owen Williams

Maggie Williams

Paula Anthony - D

Holli (Rob) Beckett

Jovan Robinson

Lizzy Beckett

Zeke Beckett

Maria Beckett

Jose Beckett

Oma Beckett

AJ (Dawn) Hay

Madeleine Hay

Aurelia Hay

Ehlodie Hay

Phineas Hay

Vince (Soozie) Ricketts

Shannon Floyd

Shari (Tyler) Coats

Nora Coats

Cash Coats

Connor Ricketts

Sandra Pomerantz

James Paul Pomerantz - D

Joseph Ricketts

Elmer (Donna - D) Ricketts

Joshua Ricketts

Madison Ricketts

Amy (Hugh) Johnson

Kaye-lani Newman & Sean Gibboney

Jordan Gibboney

Neila Cutting

Gideon Cutting

McKenna Newman & Caleb Harris

Lincoln Newman

Garrard (Ashley) Johnson

Walker Johnson

Andrea (Adam) Classen

Jacob Johnson

Alicia (David) Middleton

Elizabeth (Justin) Hall

Declan Hall

Lane Hall

Olivia (Tommy) Tracy

Adrienne Tuggle & Trey Naylor

Adreanna Middleton

Vivienne Middleton

Work History:

Paul started working early in life…at age 10 he worked on a turkey farm mucking out turkey pens.  In his teens, Paul worked at a local Benjamin Franklin's where he first met his future bride Jean.  Later Paul worked for Olin / Flexel a manufacturer of cellophane as a facility maintenance man.  He was one of the last to leave the plant when it eventually closed down.

His "side hustles" included wedding photography with his close friend William Harbert or farming with his good friend Earl Haga.

Once fully retired, Paul enjoyed spending his days with his grandchildren and tending their large vegetable garden.  It was the  happiest time of his life.

Hobbies:

His early hobbies included hunting:  rabbits with his beagle Lady, pheasants & quail with his Weimaraner Stubby, geese, turkey and deer more so in his later years.  He loved to fish whether it was on the Wabash River, local ponds like Glascock or Wilsons for bluegill or bass, but he especially loved his yearly trips to White Iron Lodge near Ely, Minnesota and Thunder Bay, Canada for walleye and great northern.

He learned to build and renovate houses with his father, laying cement block for the first family home and performing a tear off/rebuild for the house he shared with Jean and his seven children.  He tinkered with cars and small engines when necessary.  He built stilts, installed a basketball goal, replaced multiple bike tires and ran miles teaching his children to ride a bike.  He taught many of his children to drive (usually with only one shot).  He raised his children to be independent and self-sufficient, kind, helpful and strong. Paul was a quiet man not saying a lot most days.  But he surely knew how to use a leather belt or give "the look" when deemed necessary.  By all accounts, he was a good man, friend, father and husband.  He will be sorely missed.

Paul's wishes for cremation will be honored, and services will be held at a later date.