Ricky L. Bratton

Ricky L. Bratton, 53, of Louisville, IL, died at 1:18 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Ricky was born December 5, 1954 in Flora, IL, the son of Lowell and Freda Fowler Bratton. He married Susanne Pilman on September 21, 1975 in Louisville. Ricky was a 1973 graduate of North Clay High School and Lincoln Trail College in Lawrenceville. He was employed as a lead systems analyst for Discover Financial Services in Riverwoods, IL and prior to that he worked for the Illinois Student Scholarship Commission (ISSC) in Deerfield, IL. Ricky was an intelligent, fun-loving man. He was a great husband who always looked out for his wife, family and friends. He enjoyed cooking and watching war movies and he loved his dogs. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Shirley VanDyke. He is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Susanne Bratton of Louisville; two nephews, Vince (wife, Linda) VanDyke of Rinard, IL and Scott (wife, Barb) VanDyke of O'Fallon, MO; and one niece, Mona (husband, Danny) Perales of Laredo, TX. Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Burial will be at Red Brush Cemetery at a later date. The family of Ricky L. Bratton is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.