Joseph M. Rickman Sr., 86, of Mexico, Missouri, passed away in his sleep on Feb. 4, 2021, at his home in Mexico.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday Feb. 8, 2021 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 635 Ringo, Mexico, MO 65265. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial with Military Honors will follow at 1 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Jacksonville, Mo. Pickering Funeral Home in Mexico is handling the arrangements.

Joseph was born in Waynesville North Carolina on December 20, 1934. He joined the US Air Force at the age of 18 and served his country honorably for 23 years.

Joseph was married to Carol K. Shepherd Rickman on Jan. 21,1956. They were married 65 years.

In 1976 Joseph joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and remained an active member for the rest of his life. He and his wife served a mission in Armenia for the Church from 1991 to 1993.

Joseph was an avid sportsman and loved the outdoors. He loved camping, fishing and being in nature.

Joseph is survived by his wife Carol K. Rickman, daughter Rebecca Rickman (Randal Howland), son Joseph M. Rickman Jr. (Cindy), daughter Kimberly Crone (Ralph), daughter Alicia McDonald (Ken), daughter Amy Griffin (Jonathan), son Curtis Rickman, and a sister Edna Lance. He has 17 grandchildren, and 33 great grandchildren.

Joseph is preceded in death by his parents Manley and Rhoda Rickman, his brothers George, Harold, Frank and Edward Rickman, and by his son David L Rickman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). They may also be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.