FORSYTH -- Ronald Lee Barricklow, 62, of Forsyth departed this life Tuesday (Sept. 16, 2003) in his home after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  In his final moments, he was surrounded by his family who loved him.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Dawson & Wikoff Colonial Chapel North with visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.  Burial will be 3 p.m. Saturday in Valhalla Garden of Memory and Mausoleum, Belleville, with military rites.  Memorials: Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois or St. John's Hospice Program.

Ron was born June 27, 1941, in Hillsboro, the son of Paul C. and Alma E. Kessinger Barricklow. His childhood was spent in Belleville.  He moved to Decatur his junior year of high school and graduated from MacArthur High School in 1960.  He attended Belleville Junior College before joining the Air Force in March 1963.  During the Vietnam War, he was stationed at Bangor, Maine, and San Pablo, Spain, and served his country as a firefighter specializing in jet fighter crashes. He married Susan E. Wittlich on November 4, 1965, in Belleville.

He was hired by Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. on Aug. 21, 1967, and worked as a production supervisor in the Decatur plant.  He retired Jan. 1, 2001, after 33 years, four months and 10 days.  He was a member ofForsyth United Methodist Church and was an active part of his community, volunteering to serve with the Hickory Point Fire Department and as a baseball/softball coach for his son's and daughter's teams.  He was an avid Cubs fan never failing to believe that one day they would get it right.  He belonged to the Pontiacs of Central Illinois Car Club, and his most prized possession was his 1967  Pontiac GTO convertible.  His greatest joy in life was his son, Tony, and daughter, Angela; his two grandsons, Cody Lee and Evan Jacob; and his beagle, Mikey.

Ron will be cherished and remembered by his wife Susan Elizabeth; children Anthony Lee Barricklow and friend Barb Nelson and children, Patricia Jean Beery and Zachery Michael Phillips of Decatur; Angela Lee Barricklow-Dawson and husband Lee of Boody; grandchildren Cody Lee Dawson and Evan Jacob Dawson, step grandchildren, Ashley Marie Dawson, Sarah Ann Dawson and Joseph Michael Mills; father, Paul Cooper Barricklow of Hillsboro; sister, Sharon K. White and husband Dan of North Fort Myers, Fla.; eight nieces and nephews; 14 great-nieces and great-nephews; three great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alma Elizabeth; brother, Paul Kent Barricklow; uncle, Terry Vericke and brother-in-law, Tim Wittlich.

The family wishes to thank Ron's friends and neighbors for their calls and visits during Ron's illness; Kevin Baker for taking such good care of that GTO; Ron's niece, Deborah Malloy for caring for Grandpa when Ron couldn't;  the caregivers at Comfort Keepers; the nurses from St. John's Hospice Program who helped with Ron's care at home; and Dr. James Wade and staff at Cancer Care Specialists for their kind and compassionate care and for never once giving up.  Keep whistling, Dr. Wade.