Richard Burton "Ricky" Gilbert of Dixon, was born on February 17, 1969, at Rolla, a son of Emmitt George and Jessie Lea (Fritchey) Gilbert and departed this life at 8:57 a.m., Tuesday morning, November 6, 2018, at the Lake Region Health System, Osage Beach. Ricky had attained the age of 49 years, 8 months and 20 days.

Ricky was a member of the First Assembly of God Church, Dixon. He was baptized early in life and then more recently had re-dedicated his life to his Lord and Savior. He loved sports of all kinds, and could usually be found on a baseball field playing baseball, he was looking forward to this year's deer season, and he loved all the little children at church and was known by them as the "candy man".  Ricky was a compassionate and loving person, he dearly loved his family and his little granddaughter was the light of his life. He had worked for the Dixon R-1 School System and more recently for Richards Building Supply.

Those left to mourn the passing of Ricky include: his son, Richard Lee Gilbert and his girlfriend, Hannah; his daughter, Ashley Nicole Gilbert; his granddaughter, Rilee Dale Rayna Gilbert; his life companion, Pam Doyle; one brother, George Paul Gilbert and his wife, Kim; one sister, Jeannie Marie Shattuck and her husband, Dennis, all of Dixon; Uncles; Aunts; Nephews; Nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ricky was preceded in death by his father, Emmitt on July 31, 1992; his mother, Jessie on December 29, 2000 and his brother, Emmitt Dale Gilbert on April 8, 2012.

Funeral services were conducted for Ricky at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 13, 2018, in the 1 ^st Assembly of God Church, Dixon, with Pastor Scott Ballard and Youth Pastor Richard Sinden officiating.

Interment was in the Seaton Cemetery near Dixon under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon. Pallbearers for Ricky were Emmitt Henson, Casey Jones, B.J. Medlen, Jason Medlen, Victor Wilson and Ryan Bruce. Honorary pallbearers were Randy Ray, Nathan Gilbert, Randy Alexander, Steve Martin, Tyler Gilbert and Rustin Bruce.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the family to the Dixon Assembly of God Youth Fund or per the wishes of the family with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon.