Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

John Shields "Pops" Ficker, born May 23, 1940, died Saturday Dec. 11, 2021, with his wife by his side.

He graduated from Staunton High School in 1958. He left home to enroll in Worsham Mortuary College in Chicago and graduated the following year. He started his mortuary career with Williamson Funeral Homes in Staunton and continued there until he moved his family to Jerseyville in 1965 to join Jacoby Brothers & Sons Funeral Home and Furniture Store. In 1981, he changed careers and became deputy sheriff of Jersey County under Sheriff Frank Yocom and continued there until his retirement i...