Rickey Lee Jarka
September 18, 1952 - January 18, 2021
Rickey Lee Jarka, age 68 of Wilmington, passed away Monday, January 18, 2021 at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago. He was born September 18, 1952 in Kankakee. Rickey grew up in Kankakee. He lived for a time in Texas City, Texas, Springfield, Illinois and most recently, Wilmington, Illinois. Rickey had been a welder. He loved bowling and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. In his teens, he played the trumpet in the Kankakee Drum and Bugle Corp. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Kankakee. He is survived by his two sisters and one brother-in-law, Rena & Michael Gooding of San Jose, California and Leila Owen of Kankakee; one daughter, Jennifer Sims of Evansville, Indiana; one son, Joseph Sims of Mt. Carmel; two granddaughters; one grandson; one great-grandchild; two nieces; two nephews; three great-nieces; one great-nephew; and many friends. He is preceded in death by his Mom and Dad, Margie & Harold Owen; and his grandmother, Freida Mattis. A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2021 at Kankakee Memorial Gardens in Aroma Township. Memorials can be made to the Kankakee Salvation Army.
Rickey Lee Jarka, age 68 of Wilmington, passed away Monday, January 18, 2021 at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago. He was born September 18, 1952 in Kankakee. Rickey grew up in Kankakee. He lived for a time in Texas City, Texas, Springfield,... View Obituary & Service Information