Ralph Nickey Jr., 75, of Paris, Tenn., born Oct. 30, 1935 in Milton, Pa., died Thursday, June 23, 2011, in Massac Memorial Hospital, Metropolis, Ill.

A memorial service was held at LeDon Chapel, Ridgeway Funeral Home on Monday, June 27, 2011, at 7 p.m.

He was a member of Paris Elks Lodge 816 and was a U.S. Air Force Korean veteran. He worked for 20 plus years as Service Manager for the Army Air Force Exchanges Service in the Dept. of Defense, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a resident of Mathews County from 1972-1982.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Mary Whiteman Nickey of Paris, Tenn.; daughters, Beverly (Bruce) Rammel of Paris, Tenn. and Kathryn (Duane) Frichtl of Bondville, Ill.; sons, Ralph Richard (Rita) Nickey of the Raleigh-Durham area, N.C., and Nicholas Nickey and Dennis Grittner, both of Paris, Tenn.; half-brother, Donald L. (Carol) Bair of New Columbia, Pa.; seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by father Ralph Nickey and mother Ethel Leitzel Nickey Bair.

Memorial contributions may be made to Paris Elks Lodge 816, 550 Russell Street, Paris, Tenn. 38242.