Richard Sickels, 62, of Nevada, died unexpectedly on Friday, July 17, 2015, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada, with Pastor David Burling officiating.  Casual attire is encouraged.  Burial will follow in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery with military honors conducted by William F. Ball Post No. 48 of the American Legion.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. 

Born August 28, 1952, in Waukon, Iowa, Richard Oakley Sickels was the son of Arthur and Alvina (Nelson) Sickels.  He grew up in Waterville, Iowa, and began working at a young age.  Rich loved to work, hauling canned milk with his dad and baling hay with his uncles.  He was always interested in making money and started out working at a creamery.  At one point in his young life, Rich considered becoming a minister.  He served in the United States Navy from 1970-72, then returned to Iowa and worked in grounds maintenance at Iowa State University in Ames for 34 years, retiring in 2010.

On November 26, 1976, he was united in marriage to Linda (Kuhn) Eller in Ames.  She passed away in 2001.

Rich enjoyed watching western movies, country music, fishing, and going to Meskquaki and Prairie Meadows Casinos.

Survivors include his mother, Alvina Sickels of Rossville; two brothers, Robert (Beverly) Sickels of Nevada, and Rodney (Deborah) Sickels of Dorchester; two sisters, Ruth Sunkle of Marshalltown, and Becky (Curtis) See of Aransas Pass, TX; a step-daughter, Julie Eller of Altoona; his girlfriend, Gloria Lewis of Nevada; and two four-legged companions, Axle and Sadie.

In addition to his wife, Linda, Rich was preceded in death by his father, a brother in law, Phillip Sunkle, and special friends Charley Litchfield and Keith Thompson.

Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada has been entrusted with the care of Richard and his family.