Bess L. Rikeman

Bess Rikeman, 81, died Thursday evening, December 21, 2017 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. She was the wife of the late George Rikeman. Born in Malden on Sept. 12, 1936, she was the daughter of the late William and Bertha (Wells) Barter. She was raised and educated in Malden and was a graduate of Malden High School. A longtime Reading resident, where she raised her loving family, she had resided more recently in Lynnfield. She was employed as a secretary with the Town of Reading and then with Addison-Wesley until the time of her retirement. She loved dogs, and will be missed by her faithful canine companion Billy. She leaves her children, Terry Rikeman of Lynnfield, Wendy Murphy and her fiancé Ross of Danvers, Everett “Rick” Rikeman of Lynnfield, Eric “Jimmy” Rikeman and his wife Lisa of Newburyport, and Mark Rikeman of Lynnfield, her grandchildren, Ian, Erin, and Emily Murphy, and Deanna, Michelle, Rachel, Erika, Hannah, and Matthew Rikeman, her brother, William Barter, and several nieces and nephews. Her Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at noon in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm Street, Danvers. Burial will follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Lake St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are invited. Visitation is prior to the service beginning at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bess’ name may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970.