Submitted by Mary Jo Koran

BICKEL

Goethals

Harlow

Kovachevich

Millage

Obren

Savich

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – December 18, 2005

DONNA L. BICKEL

April 20, 1944 – December 15, 2005

Donna L. Bickel, 61, of South Bend, passed away Thursday evening, December 15^th in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Donna was born April 20, 1944, in Mishawaka, a daughter of the late Michael & Elsie (Savich) Kovachevich. She grew up in the South Bend/Mishawaka area where she lived her entire life. On May 15, 1967, Donna married Albert P. Bickel. She was a homemaker, raising three sons. Donna’s Christian faith was an important part of her life and she was a member of New Life Community Church in South Bend. Christmas was her favorite time of the year and she enjoyed giving presents to her family. Donna dearly loved animals. She is remembered as a loving, giving and honest person who never said a bad word about anyone. Donna always believed in doing the right thing and she lived by example to her sons, grandchildren and other family and friends whose lives she touched.

Donna’s sons and grandchildren were the light of her life. Her family includes her three sons, Mike Bickel of Granger, Robert (Brenda) Bickel of South Bend and Joseph (Megan) Bickel of South Bend; four brothers, Pete Obren of Mishawaka, Steve (Verleen) Obren of Mishawaka; four sisters, Mitzi Goethals of Mishawaka, Rosie Harlow of Kingsford Heights, Joan Kovachevich of Las Vegas NV and Violet Millage of Fort Wayne; nine grandchildren, Renee, Michael, Aaron, Trey, Brianna, Sierra, Tyler, Jarrett and Xavier; and Donna’s special friend, Dorothy Howell.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, who died in June of this year, and also by a brother, George.

Friends may spend time with Donna’s family on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00pm in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. Third Street, Mishawaka. Services celebrating her life and faith will be held on Tuesday at 11:00am in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Dan Morgan officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, South Bend.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the family to assist with final expenses. Envelopes are available in the funeral home.