Rikle, Joseph H. of Bay City, Michigan passed away Sunday evening August 5, 2012 at Bay Regional Medical Center. Age 68 years. The son of the late Anna Mina and James William Rikle was born September 16, 1943 in Bay City and has resided here all of his life. Joe retired from Michigan Sugar Company in Carrollton, Michigan as a welder. He served with the United States Navy on the USS Ticonderoga at the start of the Vietnam Conflict. He was an outstanding artist, enjoyed playing cards, riding his bike and ATV, fishing and shooting his guns. On March 15, 1976 he married his wife of thirty six years the former Rosemary E. Nalazek and she survives his passing along with one son and daughter-in-law; James and Jennifer Rikle of Hamilton, MI, one grandson; Joseph Rikle, one brother; Ervin “Junior” Rikle, three sisters and one brother-in-law; Virginia and Norman VanSumeren of Essexville, Gerri Giraradin of Bay City and Marilyn Kram of Bay City, one sister-in-law; Irene Melby of Bay City and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one sister; JoAnn LaPlaunt. Funeral Services will take place Friday, August 10, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc.. Officiating will be Rev. Fr. Dale A. Orlik with interment following in Oak Ridge Cemetery under the auspices of the Bay County Veterans Council. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. and until the time of services. Memorial cards for the Wishes of the Family will be available.