Frank Walton Barickman

Frank Walton Barickman, 90, of Naples, FL and formerly of Grand Ridge, Illinois, passed away on June 12, 2018 under the care of Vitas Hospice in Naples. Frank will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, an exemplary servant to his community, and for his stewardship of his legacy: the family farm. Frank was born October 28, 1927 in Streator, IL to Frank and Margaret (Gleim) Barickman. After graduating from Rochelle (Illinois) High School, Frank immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 1945, attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Ft. Benning, Georgia, and served in Italy from 1946 to 1947, as a 2nd Lieutenant. After discharge, Frank attended Iowa State College in Ames, receiving a BS degree in agricultural engineering, emphasizing soil and water conservation. Frank was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. After college, Frank started farming with his father south of Grand Ridge, Illinois. Frank’s lifelong goal was to leave the farm to the next generation, and the farm is now in its sixth generation. Frank married Rosemary Sourwine on August 30, 1953 in Greencastle, IN. He and Rosemary lived in Grand Ridge until they retired to Southwest FL in 1988. Throughout his lifetime, Frank was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Naples; the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, FL; the United Methodist Church of Grand Ridge; and Park Presbyterian Church of Streator. Frank was a lifelong Chicago Cubs baseball fan; experiencing the reward of steadfast support when the Cubs won the World Series when he was 89. A devotee to exercise, Frank took up tennis after retiring from farming, was an avid gardener, and later rode his bicycle and walked daily. Frank learned bridge from his parents as a child, and he continued to be an avid bridge player until he turned 90. Frank was a voracious reader, imparting the love of reading to all members of his family. Frank will be remembered as a community servant. He served many years on the board of Grand Ridge Grade School, and was a Master Gardener in Collier County. Frank volunteered at the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, too. In 1994, Frank traveled to rural Russia as a Land ‘O Lakes Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer, working with private farmers. Further, Frank tutored school children in the Naples and Bonita Springs area. Frank’s family and friends will greatly miss him. Frank was known as the eternal peacemaker, sharing a big smile and a kind word with everyone. He is survived by three daughters, Julia, of Aurora, IL; Nancy (John) Brannaman of Ames, and Rachel (Paul) Woodyer, of Grand Ridge, as well as one sister, Ida (Norb) Reinert, of Kennett Square, PA; six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He is preceeded in death by his wife, and daughter, Elizabeth. A memorial service will be held at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Faith Lutheran Church, 4150 Goodlette-Frank Road N, Naples, FL. Inurnment will be at First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, FL, 9751 Bonita Beach Rd. SE, Bonita Springs at 10 am on Monday, June 25, 2018. In lieu of flowers, Frank’s family requests donations to Paddy Ridge Farm for the preservation of historic buildings on the family farm, or to the charity of your choice. Send memorials to: Nancy Brannaman, 222 Parkridge Circle, Ames, IA 50014. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home & Crematory. Family owned and operated since 1978.

Frank Walton Barickman

October 28, 1927 - June 12, 2018