Voice of Dons & Donettes has died

Ed Rickus, a former coach and well-known as the Voice of the Doniphan basketball on the radio, has died.

Always enjoyed talking with Mr. Rickus before a basketball game. He was certainly missed this past winter when he did not announce the games on the radio. Here is his obit from Sunday's DAR:

Ed Rickus

DONIPHAN -- Edward Lee Rickus, 65, of Doniphan died Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Rickus was born March 25, 1943, in Farmington. He was a science and biology teacher, driver's education instructor and high school coach and had retired after 33 years of teaching. Coach Rickus announced the Doniphan Dons and Donettes basketball and baseball games for 23 years for Fox Country Radio and enjoyed golfing, woodworking, Christmas decorating and football games. He was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association, Doniphan Community Teachers Association, Doniphan Retired Teachers Association (and was a past president), Doniphan Booster Club, Poplar Bluff Elks Club and the Doniphan First Baptist Church.

Mr. Rickus was an Arkansas State University Football Alumni and played for the ASU Indians for four years on scholarship and was a member of the ASU Letterman's Club and TKE fraternity.

On Jan. 23, 1965, he married Roselea Moore in Farmington. She survives.

Other survivors include one daughter, Debbie Rickus Robertson and her husband, Anthony, Sr., of Hernando, Miss.; one son, Jimmy "BoBo" Rickus, of the home; two grandsons, Anthony Robertson, Jr., and Justin Edward Robertson, both of Hernando; and two brothers, Don Rickus of New Port Richie, Fla., and Wendell Rickus and his wife, Dorothy, of Farmington. He is also survived by several aunts, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Mr. Rickus was preceded in death by his parents, M. W. "Bus" and Marie (Counts) Rickus.

Visitation was held Sunday. Funeral services were held Monday. An additional visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Taylor Funeral Home in Farmington. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Libertyville Christian Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Coach Rickus Fund, Doniphan High School Athletes Scholarship or to the Libertyville Christian Cemetery Fund in Farmington. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.edwardsfuneralhome.org.