RICKIE RALPH McQUEEN, Martinsville, IN

Ricke Ralph McQueen, 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Martinsville, Indiana, on Thursday, July 18, 2024. His family was blessed to be with him at the time of his passing.

Ricke was born Sunday, March 25, 1945 to the late Ralph Orman and Dorothy Jane (Kettering) McQueen in Brazil, Indiana.

Ricke grew up in Brazil, Indiana and graduated from Van Buren High School. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Indiana University in science education in 1967. While attending IU, Ricke met his wife Mary and they were married in 1967. Ricke McQueen was an educator - as a science teacher in Pekin, Illinois, the former Martinsville Junior High School, West Middle School, as a director of the Safe and Drug Free program in Martinsville school system. He shared his faith as a Sunday school teacher, as a Lay Leader in the pulpit at Martinsville 1st Methodist church and other area churches, as a counselor at church camps and as a member of Lay Witness teams. Ricke was a servant supporting Kiwanis activities, Stability First, church mission trips, Fall Foliage Festival, appreciating others' collaborative efforts. Ricke's focus was living God's plan for his life. Ricke was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He loved activities with family and friends. Playing saxophone in the IU alumni bands at football and basketball games and attending the Indians baseball games, skydiving on his 70th birthday, zip-lining, horseback riding, snorkeling, fishing, snow skiing were activities he enjoyed. He was interested in all Music genres. Ricke played the piano and dulcimer - sang with church groups, worked to control his "carefree no - maintenance" yard. Being outside listening to and watching God's Creation evolve while reading his Bible were things he enjoyed the most. Ricke lived a full life, experienced some challenging detours, and now he's with our Lord. Amen!

Ricke is survived by his wife Mary (Crowder) McQueen; son, Brad McQueen and wife Katie of Indianapolis; daughter, Melissa Coverdale and husband Brad of Lake Wylie, South Carolina; sisters Kay Beth Harper, Jane Ann Robbins, Marla Keppler and husband Ed, and six fantastic grandchildren; Elise, David and wife Emma, Campbell, Ryan, William and Evan. Ricke left us with so many good memories and he will be remembered often!