Rickey L. Harvey

Rickey L. Harvey, 68, of Coal Valley, Illinois, died unexpectedly on Saturday, October 23, 2021, in his home.

Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory, 1700 First Street, Coal Valley. Burial is in Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. A memorial fund will be established in his name.

Rickey was born March 2, 1953, in Knoxville, Iowa, to Mark B. Sr. and Minnie (Bakalar) Harvey. He married Vicky Byrd in 1975. They had 3 daughters and then later divorced. After some time, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Reita Sloan Griffin. Although their lives had taken different paths for many years, they had planned on spending the rest of their lives together. They had many adventures and were living their best lives. It was tragically cut short at 10 years.

He was a machinist at Orion Tool and Die, retiring in 2020, and previously worked at Montgomery/Kone and International Harvester. He was active in the International Association of Machinists. He was a man who took pride in his family and his work, and he never let the obstacles of life stop him. He loved his Corvette, motorcycle and traveling in Mexico. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening and making extremely spicy concoctions. He was full of life, love and laughter, and he never met a stranger. He was most happy spending time with his family, especially splashing his grandchildren in the pool, and being with his dog Ripley.

Rickey is survived by his fiancée of 10 years and the love of his life, Reita Sloan Griffin; 3 daughters Erica (Brian) Frakes of Colona, Amber Smith (Kevin Smith, Jr.) of Colona, and Leah Harvey (fiancée Cory Sampica) of Coal Valley; stepchildren, Nick (Jenny) Mason, Darcy (John) Barnes, and Shannon (Jeremy) Lenger; grandchildren, Victoria and Gabe Smith, Lylly and Jacob Sampica, Walker and Wyatt Mason, Madison, Brady and River Barnes, and Brody, Rocky, and Jody Lenger; his siblings and spouses, Ron Harvey, Cheryl (Jim) Dudick, Lori (Rich) Price, Lisa (Tim) Rogerwall, Mark Jr. (Amy) Harvey, Martin (Kris) Harvey, and Sandra Harvey; and many nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rickey’s family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.