David Lester

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

My deepest condolences to all of your family. I know that Brother Ray is now enjoying the Glory of Heaven, beholding the face of our Savior Jesus Christ, Whom Ray preached about for many years and pointed people to the Way, the Truth & the Life. When it comes my time to leave this world, I will look for Ray in the Golden City. I appreciated Rev. Rickert allowing me to preach at First Baptist in Streator, when I first started in the ministry. That meant so much. Y'all are in our prayers.

Bill Niebuhr

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Ray was the first pastor to welcome me and my wife Peggy to Streator way back in 1986. Soon after we started a Pastor's prayer meeting that met once a week. We prayed together with other pastor's once a week at that meeting for 17 years! That's just under 900 prayer meetings. We rejoiced in one another's joys, and wept with one another's griefs. Ray loved the Lord Jesus, the Word, His family and the Church. He didn't look very tough...but he was TOUGH. When he was 79, we rode motorcycles 350 to 500 miles a day for ten days out West. Coming home, we rode through strong winds, cold rain, and some fog coming down out of the mountains for an afternoon and a morning. When we got to Nebraska and some sunshine, we stopped at a rest stop to change clothes. A man in the restroom asked us if we were the two crazies riding through the storm in the mountains...we looked at each other and laughed-"Yep, that was us." The Lord's comfort on all Rays loved ones and friends!

Nicholas Barrett

Friday, July 17, 2015

I'm at a complete loss for words, such a great man was lost, Heaven gained one Heck of a great man. He was there to do funeral ceremony's for my uncle, grandmother, brother. I had nothing but respect for this great man and he will be truly missed by all that had the pleasure to ever meet him, god bless him and his entire family

Ron & Marilyn Scarbeary

Friday, July 17, 2015

We were sadden to read of Rev. Rickert's passing. He married us 31 years ago! Alice was our organist. Our daughter loved going through Awana's at the church from the beginning until receiving the Timothy Award. His influence was felt in our lives.
Our deepest sympathy to his family.

Gary Oldenburg

Friday, July 17, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss, I enjoyed having him as a pastor at the First baptist when i was going there. He changed alot of lives especially mine.

Bill Allison

Friday, July 17, 2015

Pastor Rickert, You have marked my life with the fingerprints of Jesus. You baptized us and performed our wedding. You were the first person to walk into the hospital and meet our first born. Thank you for being my pastor, friend, mentor, ministry partner, and, most of all, a spiritual father to me from ages 15-30. Eight of those years I had the honor of working with you on staff at First Baptist Church, Streator IL. I learned so much simply by watching you live and serve. Thanks for discipling me. I promise to replicate your investment in me into as many others as I can before we meet again on the other side of this life in the very presence of the God whom we both love and serve. For both of our sakes, I hope there are motorcycles there too so we can ride together once again. I will never forget you. And I will continue to speak of you and how God used you in my life wherever I go—for God's glory. I love you.

Keith Risley

Friday, July 17, 2015

Sad day today when I opened the obituaries and read the passing of Pastor Ray. Heaven received a gift this week that met the true definition for the words "man of God".

I was blessed to not only have Pastor Rickert be my pastor and my neighbor for 20 years at First Baptist Church in Streator, but also as a family friend for the 34 years that I have known him. He was a mentor to the highest degree. He always made sure the congregation members, neighbors, and community were taken care of.

Pastor Rickert was the type of pastor that I wished set the standard for ministers in today's world. Always kind and leading of his parishoners, never judged, and never used his pastoral position to push his own agenda.

There are too many memories, experiences, and leadership that Pastor Ray provided to list here, but I am sure he is smiling down at the people whose lives he had the ability to touch and lead.

Rest in Peace Pastor Ray, they just don't make them like you anymore.

April Moore

Friday, July 17, 2015

Great Uncle Ray will be missed dearly by hos family here in Wisconson though the impression he left with us all will live forever.

Denise Nelson

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Bro. Ray was a lovely man with a kind and gentle soul. He had the cutest girly laugh and liked to use stick figure illustrations in his preaching/teaching. I love him so much. Not loved, for I love him still and will miss him enormously. I pray God will comfort his children, Diane and especially Jackson as only He can. Love and prayers, Denise

Holly Tribble

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Brother Ray was a dear inspiration to me and I truly admired his faithfulness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a gentle spirit with a wealth of knowledge of the Bible and his life testified to his kind heart and compassion towards people. He had a genuine burden to see folks come to know Christ. I will always treasure the memories of our small group that met on Saturdays at North Main Baptist Church for prayer and visitation. How it encouraged my soul! He even made a special effort and trip from Ohio back to Arkansas so he could be here for my wedding reception; what a special friend indeed! I am so thankful the Lord allowed for us to cross paths in this life. I will miss you, but I know you are having a most joyous time with our Lord! Thanks for your testimony and friendship.
Thank you, Diane, for being there with him through it all. May the Lord bless and comfort your heart and give you strength during this difficult time. Love and prayers!

Pat Denton

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Ray was a great man!! He loved you dearly, Diane , he loved you dearly! Love you and I'm there for you, too! Pat