MELVIN RICKARD

Melvin W. Rickard, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Nov. 1, 1997, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 8, 1912, at New Madrid, the son of Thomas I. and Ada Ruth Bratton Rickard.

He first married Inez Young in 1934 at Cape Girardeau. She died in 1973. On June 9, 1979, he married Ruth I. Brennan in Cape Girardeau. She died Feb. 22, 1991.

He worked as a construction foreman for 3 1/2 years at Roof Structures in Webster Groves. In 1948, he started Rickard Construction Co. He retired in 1992.

He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II and served in the Pacific, earning a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and a Good Conduct medal. He attended Maple United Methodist Church.

He was a 1932 graduate of Cape Central High School, a charter member of the Amateur Radio Operators Association, SEMO Senior Golf Association, St. Mark's Masonic Lodge 93, VFW Post 3838 and Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen.

He is survived by a son, M. David Rickard of Orange, Calif.; a daughter, Noel Erlbacher of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, Thelvan Rickard and Jack Rickard, both of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Dorothea Heise of Cape Girardeau and Mary MaGee of Nashville, Tenn.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.

There is no visitation. Graveside service will be Monday at 10 a.m. at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. John Gregory officiating. Masonic and VFW graveside rites will also be held at that time.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.