AMBOY — Ricky L. "Rick" Ketchum, 68, of Amboy, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019.

He was born June 6, 1950, in Amboy, the son of Perry and Doris (McLindsay) Ketchum.

Rick liked to say he was a jack of all trades. He was a 45-year union member of Carpenters Local 790. During this time, he was a Journeyman Carpenter, Business Agent, and participated on many committees to ensure quality benefits for his fellow union members.

Rick was dedicated to community service and served on the Lee County Board for 16 years including four years as Finance Chair and four years as Board Chairman.

Rick spent several years as Amboy Building Inspector and used his carpentry skills on many community projects.

Rick was also a founding member of the Amboy Depot Days Car Show, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Amboy community over the last 28 years.

Rick was a life-long farmer, and you could often find him in his machine shop. He retired in 2005 but had a full-time job building and racing drag cars, restoring street rods and antiques, rebuilding engines and tractors, and working on just about anything that came through the door.

Rick married Kathleen Mead on July 1, 1972 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy where he later became a member. She proved to be a valuable partner in life, farming, mechanics, and loving care through his battle with throat cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Eugene Ketchum.

He will be forever loved and missed by his wife, Kathy; one daughter, Kristin (Jeremy) Tews, of Rockford, one son, Daniel (Alanna) Ketchum, of Amboy; grandchildren, Alexis, Olivia, Logan, and Liam Ketchum, Tamara Hiatt-Glenn, Tierny (Warren) Hindriks, and Dahlia Hiatt.

He is also survived by a large and loving extended family including many brothers and sisters in law, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 2 – 7 p.m., on Sunday Feb. 10, 2019 in in the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy with a Scripture service at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday beginning with a 10 a.m. prayer service in the funeral home followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy, with Rev. Richard Kramer, officiating.

Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in Amboy. 

A memorial has been established.

Condolences may be sent online at www.thejonesfh.com.