Javier Lopez
Javier Lopez, 56, Gridley, died at 1:43 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2018 at OSF St. James-John Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac.
His funeral will be 6 p.m. Thursday, April 5 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with Fr. Scott Archer officiating. Sports attire is welcomed. Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. Thursday also at the memorial home. Memorials be given to the Javier Lopez family.
Javier was born May 13, 1961 in McAllen, Tex. the son of Raul and Maria Carmen Ortega Rodriguez. He married Kimberly McDonald on Dec. 11, 2010 in Fairbury. She survives in Gridley.
Other survivors include his parents, Oswego; three brothers, Joe (Sara) Ortega, Gridley; Mickey (Judy) Rodriguez, Hobart, Ind.; Leroy (Janet) Rodriguez, Fairbury; one sister, Cynthia Rodriguez, Fairbury and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by two brothers, Raynaldo and Richard Rodriguez and one sister-in-law, Debbie Ortega.
Javier was a 1980 graduate of Fairbury-Cropsey High School. He had been employed at the Environmental Specialist Inc. and most recently with Heller Motors, El Paso. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan.
A guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Mary Ruth Ricketts
Mary Ruth Ricketts, 90, of Fairbury, passed away at 2:10 a.m., April 1, 2018, at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.
He funeral will be held at 1:00pm, on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury. Pastor Tom Krieger will be officiating.
Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury.
Visitation will be held from 12-1 p.m., also Thursday at the church.
Memorials may be made to Southeastern Livingston County Ambulance Service, Trinity Lutheran Church or Alzheimer’s Association.
Mary Ruth was born Nov. 13,1927, in Wing, the daughter of Shelby Ezra and Clella Maude Perkins Stephens. She married Lyle K. Ricketts on Oct. 11, 1946, in Fairbury. He passed away on Nov. 16, 1984.
Surviving are her children, Kathy (Don) Poppe, Steven L. Ricketts, and Jan (John) Reis all of Fairbury; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; sister Hazel Honzik of Fla. and brother, Thomas (Carolyn) Stephens.
She was preceded in death by one infant son, one daughter, two grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters.
Mary Ruth is a 1945 graduate of Saunemin High School. She was a sales clerk for Walton’s Department Store, Fairbury and last worked at the local floral shop until she retired at the age of 80.
She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury where she was very active and a part of the WELCA.
Mary Ruth volunteered for the American Red Cross, the Westview reading program and the Helen Lewis Smith Pavilion. She especially loved her time volunteering in floral hall at the fair.
Mary Ruth never knew a stranger because of the love and value she placed in her friendships and family.
An online registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
