Spencerville;         Dorothy Teresa Ricker, 85, of Spencerville, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025 under the care of hospice at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.

Dorothy was born on July 8, 1939 at home in Ottoville to the late Norbert and Marcella (Miller) Bendele. She was a 1957 graduate of Grover Hill High School. After high school, she got to know Gene, who picked up canned milk at the family farm. On April 30, 1960, she was united in marriage to the late Eugene "Gene" Ricker and together they had three children. Because Dorothy's family were such big customers, Gene would jokingly say that he was afraid they'd lose the Bendele's business if he didn't marry Dorothy. She was a homemaker for the majority of her life and later worked at Bindel's Appliance in Lima for ten to twelve years.

Dorothy enjoyed a simple life, helping on the family farm, tending to her flower garden, and most importantly loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by her three children, Alan J. (Lisa) Ricker, Jeffrey (Janet) Ricker, and Debora Layman, all of Spencerville; five siblings, Ruth Gossard of Ottoville, Geraldine Ricker of Elida, Gerald (Sharon) Bendele of New Haven, IN, Carl (Fran) Bendele of Pandora, Delores Austin of Spencerville and Roger Bendele of Ottoville; three grandchildren, Alisha (Dan) Kleman of Elida, Emily (Cory) Counts of Spencerville, and Cody Layman of Mentor; and two great grandchildren, Henry and Emerson Counts. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene Ricker; brother, Alfred (Sue) Bendele; brothers-in-law, Geppard Gossard Jr., Charles Ricker, and Aaron Austin.

There will be a visitation from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville. Visitation will continue from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with the funeral service starting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025 also at the funeral home. Burial will take place following the service at Spencerville Cemetery. Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville is caring for Dorothy and her family.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the nurses, staff and facilities of the St. Rita's Medical Center and Hospice.