A funeral will be held Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 for 69-year-old Ricky Allan Grah of Rockwood, Illinois, who passed away at 3:42 pm, Sunday, December 8, 2024 at his residence surrounded by his family.
He was born Feb. 5, 1955 in Red Bud, Ill. to Howard and June (nee Brelje) Grah, who both preceded him in death.
Ricky married Linda York December 15, 1973 at St. Mary’s Church of Divine Maternity in Ellis Grove; she survives in Rockwood, Ill.
He is also survived by three children: Corrie (Noah) Miller of Red Bud, IL, Erica (Patrick) McKinney of Rockwood, IL and Robert (Amanda) Grah of Rockwood, IL, a brother: Ronald (Tammy) Grah of Chester, IL, two brothers-in-law: Ronald (Glenda) York Ellis Grove, IL and Louis (Laurie) York Rockwood, IL; eight grandchildren: Benjamin Grah (Addyson Mattern), Landon and Nadilyn Miller, Aidan, Evelyn and Easton McKinney and Claire and Clayton Grah; great grandchild:Levi Grah; as Beloved Dog: Bo; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law: Michael York
He had started his career journey at American Device Manufacturing Company in Steeleville, Illinois.
He then worked as a Security Therapy Aid at Chester Mental Health Center until his retirement.
After he retired he worked for Randolph County Emergency Management from 2005 until his death.
He was also an EMT and worked for Medstar and worked part time as a dispatcher for Chester Police Department.
Ricky was a member of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Chester. He was also a member of Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team where his first deployment was Hurricane Katrina. He was deployed to several other disasters such as super storm Sandy in New York and Joplin and Harrisburg tornado relief.
Ricky belonged to Illinois Emergency Management Agency during which time he earned his certificate for Illinois Professional Emergency Manager and was President of Illinois Emergency Services Mangement Association from 2020-2021.
He was also a member of his home Masonic Lodge No. 72 in Chester and Masonic Lodge No. 427 in Red Bud, as well as an honorary member of several more.
Visitation will be 4– 8 pm Thursday and 9-11 a.m. Friday at the Pechacek Funeral Home in Chester.
Masonic Service will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, December 12, 2024.
A Memorial Service for 69-year-old Ricky Allan Grah of Rockwood will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Pechacek Funeral Home in Chester, Illinois. Father Sebastian Ukoh will officiate.
Internment will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Chester, Illinois or to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.