George Baird Rickus, 89, of Colerain, Ohio died on March 12th, 2010 at E.O.R.H. in Martins Ferry, Ohio. He was born on August 11, 1920 in Wheeling, W.V., the last surviving child of the late Nelson Bernard and Marie Josephine Van Haverbeke Rickus. A child of the Great Depression, George attended St. Alphonsus Grade School in Center Wheeling and attended the former Wheeling High School until he was forced to quit in order to help support his family. As a teenager, he worked for the C.C.C. and planted many of the trees along Rt. 88 and around the West Liberty, WV, surrounding area. He later attained his G.E.D. and was also a graduate of the former St. Alphonsus School of Business and Commerce in Wheeling. He married the former Irene Ann Riester on September 25th, 1948. During their first Christmas in 1948, George and Irene started a tradition of exchanging the same Christmas Cards with George's sister, Gloria and her husband, Bill McAninch. The tradition continued after Gloria's death in 1983 and in later years with Bill and his current wife Ellen. It ended after sixty years in 2008 when Irene became debilitated in October of that year. In 1956 "Rick" and "Renie" moved to Colerain, Ohio with their 3 young children, Donna Jean, Joseph Anthony and Judy Carol, where he and his wife resided for the rest of their lives. While in Colerain another child, John David, joined the family. George loved his country life, especially his fruit trees and his vegetable gardens, which he maintained faithfully over the years until two years ago. He prepared several flower gardens for his wife, and everyone enjoyed Irene's rose gardens, iris beds and many other flowers too numerous to mention. He attended the former Mother Cabrini Catholic Church (now St. Frances Cabrini) in Colerain for many years and was a member of the Men's Club there. He also participated in the annual church festival, dealing thousands of rounds of Texas Poker during the festivities. George was a retired meat cutter for the A&P, providing faithful service for 35 years and rarely missed a day of work. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and a proud member of the American Legion. George was naturally musically inclined, able to play several instruments without any formal musical education. He was implemental in the musical career of his nephew, the late William Schau, the well-known area pianist, and spent many happy hours jamming with Bill and others at family gatherings over the years. He was an avid bowler, bridge player and golfer and played numerous rounds of golf at Oglebay's Crispin Golf Course over the years as well as going on golfing excursions with his friends to area courses and Pinehurst in North Carolina. He also enjoyed golfing in Florida during winter sojourns spent there with Irene and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Marge (Ben) Burkle and Ruth (d.) (Irvin) Klimas. He golfed until his late seventies, early eighties. He was a member of the Army Air Corps during WWII and remained stateside due to a ruptured eardrum acquired during a childhood illness. While in the service, he played minor league baseball in the position of First Base. He played with several minor league teams in the United States and Canada continuing his baseball career after marriage with the Windsor Heights Generals. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Irene, who passed away on February 10th, 2009. Several brothers and sisters also preceded him in death: Edward (Arthela) Rickus, Bernard Rickus, Marguerite (Peg) (Clyde d.) Schau- (Albert d.) Witsberger, Ruth Rickus, Helen (Paul d.) Herman, Mary (James d.) Baker, Iona Rickus, Muriel Rickus, Gloria (William) McAninch, Lillian (Lee) Marcellus; numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Surviving are four children, Joseph of Colerain, John of Colerain, Donna Hammond of Rutland, Vermont and Judy LaTour and her husband Kurt of Wheeling, WV. Three grandchildren, Dawn (Terrance) Rouse Baker of Montreal, Canada, Donald (Keri) Rouse of Boston, Massachusetts, Jessie Hammond of Rutland, Vermont. Two Great-grandchildren, Emily Baker of Montreal, Canada and Caeleb Rouse of Boston, Massachusetts; several nephews, nieces and cousins. As per George's request, there will be no viewing or visitation. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 1:30pm at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 2111 Market St., Wheeling, WV, with Father Frank O'Kruta presiding. Burial to follow at Holly Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Ohio. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com.