Roma Fickert, 90, of Rockford, died at 10:47 a.m. April 6, 2009, at Colonial Nursing Home, Rockford.

He was born Nov. 9, 1918, in Mercer County, to Otto and Frieda Schaadt Fickert. On July 12, 1941, he married Helen Louise Case, who died Dec. 4, 1984.

Surviving are a son, Dick (Gini) Fickert, Rockford; three sisters-in-law, LaVera Fickert, Decatur, Ind., and Lorraine Fickert and Janet Fickert, both of Celina; two grandsons, two great-grandsons, a stepgreat-grandson and a stepgreat-great-granddaughter.

Deceased are four brothers, Raymond, Homer, Ralph and Lloyd Fickert; and five sisters, Alvina Trafzer, Doris Jean Gerber, Lorretta Bollenbacher, Esther Noack and Betty Carter.

He worked for Maurer's Hatchery and the Berne Hatchery and Feed Mill, both in Chatt, for 14 years. He raised hogs and chickens and was the first chicken farmer in the United States to have caged chicken houses. He served in the Air Force in World War II and was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Rockford.

Services were today at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, the Rev. Catherine Costello officiated. Burial was at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Condolences can be sent to www.ketchamripleyfh@embarqmail.com.