Dorothy L. Ricketts, 94, of Galesburg, formerly of Little York, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at the Hawthorne Inn of Galesburg.
She was born March 7, 1931, in Revere, Missouri, the daughter of Melvin and Hazel (Killdoo) Wilson. She married Wilbur A. Ricketts on March 25, 1956, in Anson, Missouri. He preceded her in death Dec. 2, 2007.
Surviving are her children, Rhonda (Steve) Plaeger of Petersburg, Brenda (Gregg) Witherell of Galesburg, Michael (Trina) Ricketts of Monmouth; grandchildren, Jennifer (Bill) Foucault of Evansville, Indiana, Timothy (Joani) Bellinger of Alexis, Abigail (James) Noel of Petersburg, Hannah (Zane) Kyes of Oakford, Nathan (Taylor) Ricketts of Mooresville, North Carolina, Morgan (Daniel) Kamman of Port Orchard, Washington, Nolan (Macie) Ricketts of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina; 11 great-grandchildren with two expected this spring; step-grandchildren, Kayla (Luke) Hunter of Edwards, Teale (Stefan) Tuszynski of Galesburg, Micah (Sara) Witherell of Galesburg; plus step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ronald (Joan) Wilson of Overland Park, Kansas, and Robert (Joan) Wilson of Starkville, Mississippi; sister-in-law, Lois Ricketts of Aledo; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Eloise Wilson; and one brother, Richard Wilson.
Dorothy devoted her life to her family as a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking meals, baking pies, cookies and cinnamon rolls, sewing and gardening. She was a longtime member of Little Cedar Church in Little York and a proud member of the Farmerettes in Little York.
Dorothy’s family would like to thank Hawthorne Inn and Hospice Compassus for the outstanding care they provided.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. A gathering of family and friends will follow the service at the funeral home until 5 p.m. Interment will be in Cedar Creek Cemetery, Little York, at a later date.
Memorials can be made to the Little York Fire Department or Little Cedar Church, Little York. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, is in charge of the arrangements. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
