I.V. Joe Rickel left his earthly trappings and passed over to heaven on December 28, 2015. He was born on November 17, 1933 in Omak Washington, to Agnes “Cate” and George W. Rickel.

His early childhood was spent on the family ranch in Synerup, where his grandparents owned the general store, at seven his family moved and built a home on the ranch at Aeneas Valley, where in later years he would build and make his final home.

His first job as a kid was working in the saw mill his parents owned. He graduated from Tonasket High School in 1952. He went into the army in 1953 at the end of the Korean War, the peace treaty was signed as his ship crossed the International Date Line, he spent two years in Korea assigned to the Medic Unit. In 1952 He married JoAnn Turpen, they had three children Pam, Tenise and Kenneth. They moved to Spokane for a few years where he went to Trade School as a Diesel Mechanic during the days and worked at Hi-grade meats nights. They moved back to Tonasket in 1962 where he ran a Cattle Ranch for Ken Clarkson. His long contracting career started out working with Carman Bliss, and later his own construction company Joe Rickel Building. His partners over the years included his brother-in-law Jack Sherwood and his son-in-law Scott Fancher. He built and remodeled many homes in Okanogan County.

In 1988 he met and married Roberta Johnson, they built and made their home on the ranch at Aeneas Valley. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed tying flies and building fishing poles, there was always venison in the freezer and smoked fish to eat.

He was an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, a baby sister Anna Gene, wife Roberta Rickel, and granddaughter Theresa Fancher.

He is survived by his sister Sally Sherwood of Tonasket, three children Pamela Fancher of Tonasket, Tenise Kessler (husband Mike) of Connell, Wash. Kenneth Rickel (wife Shawn) of Cheney, Wash.; grandchildren Corrinn Fletcher (husband Cory), Erin Nielsen (wife Jennifer), Shelby Kessler, Jordan Rickel and Isaiah Rickel; six great-grandchildren, step-daughter Debra Jones and her family and step-son Bill Sluys.

Services for I.V. Joe Rickel will be Saturday, January 9 at 2 p.m., at the Community Church in Tonasket. Join us for dinner following at the church. Military Graveside Services will be at the Tunk Valley Cemetery in Synerup on January 10 at 1 p.m.

In remembrance of I.V. Joe Rickel memorials may be made to the Armed Forces Legacy, 1 Tonasket Shop Rd, Tonasket, WA 98855.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket is entrusted with arrangements.