SIKESTON, Mo. -- Wilbur Gene Dirickson, 69, of Sikeston died Thursday, March 28, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 25, 1933, in Scott County, Mo., son of Claude and Wilma Madden Dirickson. He and Wanda Ford were married Nov. 13, 1955, at Morley, Mo.

Dirickson was a truck driver with Sikeston Wood Truss and was a licensed auctioneer.

He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Rick Dirickson of Sikeston; a daughter, Donna Dirickson of Sikeston; two sisters, Claudette Learue of Sikeston, Betty Winfield of Florida; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, and two brothers.

Friends may call at Blanchard Funeral Chapel from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev. Dewayne Coleman officiating. Burial will be in New Morley Cemetery at Morley, Mo.