August 18, 2011
Shirley was a coal miner’s daughter and was born in 1939 to Raymond Cooksey and Hallie (Bercaw) Cooksey of Sullivan, Indiana. She spent her teen years in Sullivan and was a member of the Golden Arrows’ Class of 1958. In 1955, a year after the tragic death of her mother, Shirley was encouraged by a classmate to begin attending the First Baptist Church. She received Christ as her Savior, was baptized, and became active in youth group and choir. She developed a close relationship with the church’s youth leaders, Vard and Jessie Boles, and later adopted them as foster parents. Her love for Vard and Jessie never waned and even provided care for them in their elderly years. Shirley’s spiritual experience as a teen drove her passion as an adult where she served enthusiastically as a youth leader at Memorial United Methodist Church and at Faith Outreach Fellowship in Terre Haute. She was determined that no young person should be without the hope of Christ. During the high school years of her two sons, she became an ardent supporter of Wabash Valley Youth for Christ.
As a young woman, Shirley was employed as a pharmacy technician at AP&S Clinic in Terre Haute. Through a co-worker, she met the love of her life, Raymond E. Rickert. The two were married in 1962 at the First Baptist Church in Sullivan. Their marriage remained strong for 49 years and was blessed with two children, Raymond M. and Patrick E. Rickert. While her sons were young, Shirley gave up her working career and chose to be identified as a homemaker and helpmate. In this role, she was able to nurture her children, support her husband in his corporate position, and be available for others outside the home. As a community servant, Shirley became an unwavering advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and assisted with the founding of the Wabash Valley MADD chapter. She coordinated the annual MADD Dash road run and walk.
Shirley was grateful for the companionship given by her daughters-in-law, Tricia and Kristina Rickert. She looked forward to the daily phone calls and video chats. Shirley’s grandchildren, Matthew, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Annabelle, Emilia, Flora, and Patton Rickert, will forever remember their grandmother’s Christmas celebrations that included gift treasure hunts and scrumptious spare ribs cooked to perfection.
The family would like to thank the physicians and nurses at Indianapolis Methodist hospital for the overwhelming kindness and professional care given to Shirley during her illness.
A visitation will be on Friday evening, August 19th, at Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 S. 25th St., from 5 to 8 p.m. A visitation will also be on Saturday, August 20th, at World Gospel Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A celebration service will immediately follow the visitation at 1 p.m. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley’s honor to the youth ministry at World Gospel Church or IU Health Hospice, c/o Methodist Health Foundation, 1800 N. Capitol Avenue, P.O. Box 7168, Indianapolis, IN 46207-7168.
TERRE HAUTE — Shirley Ann (Cooksey) Rickert was promoted to Glory on August 16th, 2011. She departed as a result of an aggravated respiratory condition. Shirley will be remembered as one who lovingly served her family in the home and faithfully served the Saints in the House of God.
Shirley was a coal miner’s daughter and was born in 1939 to Raymond Cooksey and Hallie (Bercaw) Cooksey of Sullivan, Indiana. She spent her teen years in Sullivan and was a member of the Golden Arrows’ Class of 1958. In 1955, a year after the tragic death of her mother, Shirley was encouraged by a classmate to begin attending the First Baptist Church. She received Christ as her Savior, was baptized, and became active in youth group and choir. She developed a close relationship with the church’s youth leaders, Vard and Jessie Boles, and later adopted them as foster parents. Her love for Vard and Jessie never waned and even provided care for them in their elderly years. Shirley’s spiritual experience as a teen drove her passion as an adult where she served enthusiastically as a youth leader at Memorial United Methodist Church and at Faith Outreach Fellowship in Terre Haute. She was determined that no young person should be without the hope of Christ. During the high school years of her two sons, she became an ardent supporter of Wabash Valley Youth for Christ.
As a young woman, Shirley was employed as a pharmacy technician at AP&S Clinic in Terre Haute. Through a co-worker, she met the love of her life, Raymond E. Rickert. The two were married in 1962 at the First Baptist Church in Sullivan. Their marriage remained strong for 49 years and was blessed with two children, Raymond M. and Patrick E. Rickert. While her sons were young, Shirley gave up her working career and chose to be identified as a homemaker and helpmate. In this role, she was able to nurture her children, support her husband in his corporate position, and be available for others outside the home. As a community servant, Shirley became an unwavering advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and assisted with the founding of the Wabash Valley MADD chapter. She coordinated the annual MADD Dash road run and walk.
Shirley was grateful for the companionship given by her daughters-in-law, Tricia and Kristina Rickert. She looked forward to the daily phone calls and video chats. Shirley’s grandchildren, Matthew, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Annabelle, Emilia, Flora, and Patton Rickert, will forever remember their grandmother’s Christmas celebrations that included gift treasure hunts and scrumptious spare ribs cooked to perfection.
The family would like to thank the physicians and nurses at Indianapolis Methodist hospital for the overwhelming kindness and professional care given to Shirley during her illness.
A visitation will be on Friday evening, August 19th, at Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 S. 25th St., from 5 to 8 p.m. A visitation will also be on Saturday, August 20th, at World Gospel Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A celebration service will immediately follow the visitation at 1 p.m. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley’s honor to the youth ministry at World Gospel Church or IU Health Hospice, c/o Methodist Health Foundation, 1800 N. Capitol Avenue, P.O. Box 7168, Indianapolis, IN 46207-7168.
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