Vilas Rickey

MADISON-Vilas L. Rickey, age 89, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. He was born on Feb. 21, 1923, in Middleton, the son of Frank and Lela (Schindler) Rickey. He married Carol Burns on May 15, 1946, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, in Madison. He served in the U.S. Army for four years in the Pacific. Vilas worked as an office manager for Badger Bus, Meier Truck, and Badger Coaches for more than 50 years. He was a lifetime member of the Elk’s Lodge #410, and a longtime member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, serving in many capacities throughout the years. Vilas was also a member of K.C. Council 9082, and a volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital and Olbrich Gardens. He is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Michael (Bobbi), Alan (Catherine McCormick), Patricia (John Jordan), and John; four grandchildren, Christopher, Kierstan, Jacob and Waverly; sister-in-law, Lillian Rickey; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank, Willis, and Howard; and sister, LaVonne Gerth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Avenue, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church or to Agrace HospiceCare. A special thank you to the staff at Agrace HospiceCare. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church or to Agrace HospiceCare. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Saturday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Avenue, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding.