Verral ‘Jo’ Ficke

Verral “Jo” Ficke, 84, of Sullivan, MO, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.

Verral Mary, known as “Jo”, was born on March 1, 1933 to Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Kremer) Thompson in Denver, CO. She grew up and attended Catholic school in Missouri. In 1951, Jo met and married Ralph Franklin Ficke and together, they had three daughters, Jo Ann, Jean and Jane. They raised their family in St. Louis where Ralph owned several gas stations. Jo helped her husband in the family business and was also employed at several different factories through the years (Alco, the Pecan Factory, Rawlings and Gerald Industries). Jo was forced to retire due to ill health. Jo and Ralph moved to Sullivan, Woodland Lakes, in 1986. She was of the Catholic faith and enjoyed crocheting, knitting and playing games, such as dice and pinochle. Jo was a strong and quiet person who stayed mostly to herself.

Jo is survived by her daughters, Jo Ann Davis (Jerry) of Sullivan, MO; Jean Wilkerson (Scott) of IN; seven grandchildren, Jason Ficke, Jessica and Jeanette Davis, Ryan Andrews, Doris Driskill, Alex Wilkerson and Samantha Brzezinski; a host of great-grandchildren; one sister, Gertrude Mengwasser of O’Fallon, MO; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Franklin Ficke and her parents, Ezekiel and Elizabeth Thompson.

Funeral Services were conducted 12 p.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan with Father Paul Telken officiating. Interment followed in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

Visitation was held from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan.

All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, MO.