Obituary for Wayne Howard Ricker
Wayne – After a long battle with cancer, Wayne Howard Ricker, 85, passed away on May 21, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Wayne was born on June 15, 1937, in Lewiston to Alice McIntosh Ricker and Howard Ricker. He grew up on the family dairy farm in Lisbon and attended Lisbon schools. He played sports and was a member of the band at Lisbon High School and graduated in 1955. Wayne attended the University of Maine at Orono, majoring in Agriculture/Dairy.
Upon graduation from college, he returned to the family farm in Lisbon. In 1959, he married Shirley Jean Christopher of Lisbon Falls. Together Wayne and Shirley worked the farm, with Wayne also working part time for Maine Holstein Breeders Association to supplement the farm income, a job he began during college. In 1968, they purchased a new farm, and expanded their Registered Holstein Dairy farm business to a herd of 150 milking cows. Wayne and Shirley had five daughters, all of whom worked on the farm while growing up.
In 1993, Wayne and Shirley sold the dairy herd and Wayne worked the next 18 years for the Town of Lisbon as Director of Recycling in the Public Works Department. Wayne also operated Ricker Farm Compost and Vegetable Stand.
Wayne held the role of President for several organizations including the Androscoggin Farm Bureau, Androscoggin/Sagadahoc Cooperative Extension board and the Lisbon Rotarians. He was a founding member of the Winter Wanderers Snowmobile Club in Lisbon.
Wayne loved spending time at the Ricker camp on Moosehead Lake in Northeast Carry with family and good friends, including Will Willette of Lisbon. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling, his annual lobster cookouts with family and friends, as well as cruises to the Caribbean Islands. In recent years, he especially loved living lakeside on Pocasset Lake in Wayne, Maine with his partner, Dot Glazier. The family is grateful for Dot’s love and care for him.
Wayne is survived by his five daughters: Rhonda Irish and husband Jeffrey Irish of Jay, Kimberly Ricker and companion Robert Doustou of Poland; Kristen Adee and husband Ronald Adee of Spearfish, SD; Tammy Ricker and companion Keith Beaule of Mt. Vernon, and Sharon Zylla and husband Jerry Zylla of Lisbon. He is survived by eight grandchildren: Ben Irish, Allyson McCarty, Kyra Rawstron, Kaylei Robichaud, Lindsay Heske, Jared Glazier, Ethan Zylla and Ryan Zylla; and four great granddaughters: Abigail, Natalie, Caitlin, and Madison. He is also survived by his partner Dorothy Glazier of Wayne, and brothers Merton Ricker of Lisbon and Verne Ricker of Marion, Illinois, and his loyal dog Zoey. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Shirley Ricker, and his parents. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com
Ricker – Wayne Howard, 85, formerly of Lisbon, Maine passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Wayne, Maine. Funeral services will be held 3PM, Friday, May 26, 2023, at BRAGDON-FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine. Visiting hours 1-3PM prior to the funeral service. Committal 10AM, Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Hillside Cemetery, High Street, Lisbon Falls, Maine. If desired, contributions in Wayne’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741, OR to MaineGeneral Hospice, PO Box 828, Waterville, Maine 04903
Upon graduation from college, he returned to the family farm in Lisbon. In 1959, he married Shirley Jean Christopher of Lisbon Falls. Together Wayne and Shirley worked the farm, with Wayne also working part time for Maine Holstein Breeders Association to supplement the farm income, a job he began during college. In 1968, they purchased a new farm, and expanded their Registered Holstein Dairy farm business to a herd of 150 milking cows. Wayne and Shirley had five daughters, all of whom worked on the farm while growing up.
In 1993, Wayne and Shirley sold the dairy herd and Wayne worked the next 18 years for the Town of Lisbon as Director of Recycling in the Public Works Department. Wayne also operated Ricker Farm Compost and Vegetable Stand.
Wayne held the role of President for several organizations including the Androscoggin Farm Bureau, Androscoggin/Sagadahoc Cooperative Extension board and the Lisbon Rotarians. He was a founding member of the Winter Wanderers Snowmobile Club in Lisbon.
Wayne loved spending time at the Ricker camp on Moosehead Lake in Northeast Carry with family and good friends, including Will Willette of Lisbon. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling, his annual lobster cookouts with family and friends, as well as cruises to the Caribbean Islands. In recent years, he especially loved living lakeside on Pocasset Lake in Wayne, Maine with his partner, Dot Glazier. The family is grateful for Dot’s love and care for him.
Wayne is survived by his five daughters: Rhonda Irish and husband Jeffrey Irish of Jay, Kimberly Ricker and companion Robert Doustou of Poland; Kristen Adee and husband Ronald Adee of Spearfish, SD; Tammy Ricker and companion Keith Beaule of Mt. Vernon, and Sharon Zylla and husband Jerry Zylla of Lisbon. He is survived by eight grandchildren: Ben Irish, Allyson McCarty, Kyra Rawstron, Kaylei Robichaud, Lindsay Heske, Jared Glazier, Ethan Zylla and Ryan Zylla; and four great granddaughters: Abigail, Natalie, Caitlin, and Madison. He is also survived by his partner Dorothy Glazier of Wayne, and brothers Merton Ricker of Lisbon and Verne Ricker of Marion, Illinois, and his loyal dog Zoey. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Shirley Ricker, and his parents. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com
Ricker – Wayne Howard, 85, formerly of Lisbon, Maine passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Wayne, Maine. Funeral services will be held 3PM, Friday, May 26, 2023, at BRAGDON-FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine. Visiting hours 1-3PM prior to the funeral service. Committal 10AM, Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Hillside Cemetery, High Street, Lisbon Falls, Maine. If desired, contributions in Wayne’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741, OR to MaineGeneral Hospice, PO Box 828, Waterville, Maine 04903