Hazel M. Ricketts

Hazel Ricketts, 79 of Aledo, died Saturday, July 12, 2008 at the Mercer County Nursing Home. Funeral Services will be Wednesday at 10:00 AM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Burial will be in Aledo Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be left for the Sunbeam United Presbyterian Church. Hazel was born on August 11, 1928 in Ohio Grove Township, Mercer County, Illinois to Cecil G. & Elizabeth C. (McCutchen) Patterson. She married Harold E. Ricketts on December 30, 1950 in Aledo, IL. He preceded her in death on June 5, 1979. Hazel was a registered nurse, having worked for the Mercer County Hospital, in the OB Department and the Aledo School District as School Nurse. She also worked by her husband’s side on the family farm. Hazel was a member of the Sunbeam United Presbyterian Church and the VFW Auxiliary, Post #1571. She could always be found working in the kitchen at either one. She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, painting, stain glass and quilting. Many people have enjoyed Hazel’s gifts of quilts, afghans, doilies and mittens. Hazel is survived by her children and their spouses: Steve & Janet of Galesburg; Jon & Rhonda of Ephrata, Pennsylvania; Barb & John Kratt of Coal Valley and Rod of Aledo; 12 grandchildren: Rachel Mendoza, Greg Ricketts, Mike Ricketts, Brandon, Cory & Carrie Ricketts, Michelle Sorg, Kristin, Jason & Kelly Kratt, Scott Ricketts and Sean Pratt and 3 great-grandchildren, Ramiro, Ernando and Emila Mendoza. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and 3 brothers, Morris, Kenneth and Wilbur Patterson.