James Arthur Dierickx, 78, of Billings, Mont., formerly of Big Rock, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.
A special memorial Mass to celebrate his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat center, Big Rock. Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.
James Dierickx was born Jan. 25, 1932, the son of Arthur and Cleone Dierickx. He grew up on the family farm two miles east of Big Rock, which is now owned by the Sisters of Humility and is known as Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat center.
Mr. Dierickx graduated from Champion High School, Prairie du Chien, Wis. He then graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., and pursued further studies at Loyola University, Chicago.
In earlier years he was a computer specialist for Standard Oil Company in Chicago. In later years he was an information specialist in Billings, for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he retired.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Sisters of Humility, 820 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport, IA 52804.
Survivors include sisters Jonella (Dick) Schwaller, Bozeman, Mont., Mary Dierickx, Lakeland, Fla., and Christine Swanwick, Eldridge; brothers, Charles (Carolyn), Lakelake, and Daniel, Davenport; and many nieces and nephews.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Jim’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
