Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 1/28/2004

Opal D. Bickel

Nov. 9, 1908 -- Jan. 26, 2004

Opal D. Bickel, 95, formerly of Beech Road in Mishawaka, died at 10:50 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, in Fountainview Place of Mishawaka.

Opal was born in Browns, Ill., on Nov. 9, 1908, to Chaney and Hanna (Walters) McKay. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and four brothers.

She married George N. Bickel in Fairfield, Ill., in August of 1936 and he died Feb. 14, 1975. Mrs. Bickel is survived by her three sons, Raymond L. (Nita) Bickel of Mishawaka, Roy A. (Dakres) Bickel of Osceola and James W. Bickel of Columbia Falls, Mont.; 10 grandchildren, Karen (Pete) Shorter, Laura (Tom) Jacko, Leslie (Dave) Metcalf, Nancy (Scott) Genta, Ray (Erica) Bickel, Elizabeth Potter, Susan Bickel, James Bickel Jr., Michele (Mike) Dewey and Robert (Kelly) Bickel; 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Jones of Wayne County Ill.; and two brothers, Chaney McKay of Lancaster, Ill., and Elmer McKay of Fairfield, Ill.

Opal was a longtime member of First Christian Church of Mishawaka. She loved the church and all of her friends there. She enjoyed cooking and she volunteered her help with dinners that were held at the church.

She was a great mother. Opal liked gardening and canning. She sewed bandages for the Cancer Society, for many years she was an active member of the Penn Township Homemakers Club. Opal enjoyed her grandchildren and they have wonderful memories of all the quilts she made them and her delicious noodles and the holidays spent with her.

The Bickel family would like to thank the staff of Fountainview Place for all the love and care they gave Opal during her stay there.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, in Bubb Funeral Chapel North, 3910 N. Main St., where funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, with Rev. Dr. M. Gregory Timmons officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 2511 E. Third St., Mishawaka, IN 46544.