John M. Ricklic

John M. “The Wizard” Ricklic, age 67, of New Philadelphia passed away peacefully in his home Saturday, March 30, 2013.

Born at Dover, May 15, 1945, he was a son of the late Julius and Elizabeth Lesjak Ricklic. He was a 1963 graduate of Tusky Valley High School and went on to earn a B.S. degree in Physics at Marietta College where he earned the nick-name “The Wizard” complete with handbills and signs that appeared across campus with his photo. John was rumored to have more keys to the Chemistry building on his keychain than the custodian. In his neighborhood, John was known as “Boomer” for his love of making bombs, fires and fireworks. He was proud of his dangerous ordinance permit and was always super careful.

It was a lifelong love affair with learning that lead John to continue his education at the Cleveland Institute of Electronics, where he ultimately taught many of the courses in which he had initially enrolled.

He married the love of his life, the former Lucy Bonner, whom he met fifty years ago last week at a church social. The couple wed July 27, 1969, the same week as Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, and in the midst of a tornado that briefly interrupted their wedding ceremony.

After moving to Akron to teach, John was drafted into the United States Army in 1970.

Upon his return from military service, John spent a year in Akron before moving back to New Philadelphia to work for Joy Manufacturing and the Shenango Company. He started Con-Int Company in 1978 asking his army buddy, the late Dave Johnson, to join him soon thereafter. In 1999 John started Ricklic Industrial Electronic Servicing, Inc. and remained active in the company until his death. In the various factories he was known as the Sweater Man for his love of wearing sweaters no matter how hot the temperature was on a given project. He and Dave were also known for their use of matching red Corvettes as their service vehicles.

John will be remembered for his gifted problem solving abilities and genuine ingenuity. He regularly read several books at once, with a puzzle book on the side. He delighted family and friends alike with his science tricks and found the most subtle ways possible to share knowledge with those around him. Refusing to ever “grow up” John was a fan of Star Wars and Transformer toys, John could best be described as a curious guy who refused to ever grow old.

Survivors, in addition to his wife of 42 years, Lucy, of the home, includes their three children; Sarah (husband, Ray) Heaston of New Philadelphia, John M. Ricklic and Alissa (husband, Iasse) Mbimba of, both of Akron.

John had prepared well for life as a grandfather, giving his grandchildren college level textbooks as first birthday gifts. He’ll be sadly missed by Emma Jane, Isaac and Maylea Heaston of New Philadelphia and Thomas Mbimba of Akron.

A brother, Julius, (wife, Shirley) Ricklic of New Philadelphia, 8 nieces, and brothers-in-law Tom (Wife, JoAnn)of Tuscarawas and Jim (wife, Sally) Bonner of Dennison, and dear friends Phillip and Carolyn Dixon, and Gwenna Johnson complete the family.

In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by an infant brother, Robert D. Ricklic and his father and mother-in-law, Forest and Mildred Ohler Bonner.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, at what will be John’s final science fair, from 2-4 and from 6-8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia.

The Rev. Cindy Patterson will lead John’s funeral service Wednesday morning at 10:30 in First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia. Military honors will be rendered upon the conclusion of the church service. Family and friends will gather for a luncheon reception in the church following the military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairfield Township Volunteer Fire Department EMS Fund, PO Box 8336 Somerdale, Ohio, 44678, or to a family memorial fund in care of Lucy Ricklic, First National Bank of Dennison, PO Box 608, Dover OH 44622.

John was an accomplished storyteller. So that his grandchildren and future generations of his family may come to better know him, his family asks that in lieu of flowers, stories, and remembrances be shared. Cards will be made available at the funeral home for that purpose, or to share one electronically, please visit his permanent memorial on the funeral home’s website www.GeibCares.com