Roy David Bricker, age 79, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Monday, August 21, 2023, at his home.
He was born July 16, 1944, in Olney, the son of Roy Edward and Erma Marie (Foreman) Bricker. He was united in marriage to Janet Darlene Brinkley during a ceremony at Bloom Baptist Church on May 9, 1975.
Roy graduated from Clay City High School in 1962 and soon enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1963 to 1967 during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he worked in the oil fields for 35 years as a roustabout.
He remained committed to his fellow veterans as a lifetime member of both the Flora American Legion Post 14 and the VFW Post 3999. Roy stepped up for leadership roles at the Legion Post, serving as both Commander and District Commander, and took great pride in leading the firing squad formilitary funeral honors.
Roy appreciated classic cars and was particularly fond of his own red Corvette and CJ-5 Jeep. He was often recognized while driving his grandkids to Dairy Queen in those special rides. Above all, he cherished time spent with family and friends, especially enjoying the company of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Roy will be remembered for his hard work, service to his country, and dedication to others.
Roy is survived by his wife: Janet Bricker of Flora; 4 children: Angie (Tom) Tolliver of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Leroy (Kelly) Martin, Kelly (Roy) Conard, and Kris (Kory) Snell, all of Flora; 13 grandchildren: David (Jamie) Tolliver, Matthew (Brittney) Tolliver, Andrea Branch, Dalton Zimmerman, Logan Stone, Megan Stone, Nathasha Stone, Emma Griffith, Lauryn Snell, Clayton Snell, Colton Snell, Jayden Conard and Khloe Conard; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother: Robert (Regina) Bricker of Xenia; and brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Gary (Sandy) Frank of Cloverdale, Indiana, Doug (Violet) Brinkley of Enid, Oklahoma, Dianna (Frank) Cricelli of Pocahontas, Kent (Donna) Brinkley of Flora, Maureen (Alan) Tolliver of Flora, and Sam Brinkley of Riverside, California.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister: Judy Frank; father-and-mother-in-law: James and Wanda Brinkley; a sister-in-law: Glenda Brinkley; and a brother-in-law: Larry (Martha) Brinkley.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 25, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursdayevening at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to the local branch of the Disabled American Veterans, or towards maintaining the local Veteran Memorials in Flora, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
