Charles Edward Rickman

Charles Edward Rickman, Sr., 87, of Poplar Bluff died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Rickman was born Nov. 9, 1924 in Butler County. He served as a Private First Class with Company C of the 84th Infantry Division, Ninth Army during WWII, while it moved across northern Germany near the Siegfried Line. On Thanksgiving Day in 1944 his unit came under mortar attack and several of his comrades were trapped under rubble when the building they occupied crumbled. Despite the ongoing mortar attack, Private Rickman exposed himself to the enemy mortar and artillery fire as he attempted to rescue his comrades. A few days later, near Prunnern, while under intense artillery and machine gun fire, he was severely wounded. For his bravery he was awarded a Bronze Star and 2 Purple Hearts. Mr. Rickman was a member of South Poplar Bluff General Baptist Church, and had retired as a Purchasing Agent for John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. After his retirement Mr. Rickman raised registered Angus cattle on his farm. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially with his grandchildren, and hunting and fishing with his son.

On Oct. 26, 1952, he married Wanda Casey in Poplar Bluff and she survives.

Other survivors include a son, Charles E. ""Sonny"" Rickman, Jr. and wife Sandy of Poplar Bluff; three grandchildren, Christopher Rickman, Laura Beth Crunk and husband Michael and Natalea Kay Hovis and husband Jeff; and a brother, Jim Rickman and wife Verna of Poplar Bluff.

His parents, Joseph Edward and Maud (Mowery) Rickman, sisters, Beulah Bocek and Ellen Bocek and brother, Wayne Rickman preceded Mr. Rickman in death.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Chapel with Rev. Steve Patterson officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the City Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.