Thomas J. Bickel

Sept. 11, 1931 - March 19, 1999

Thomas Joseph Bickel, 67, of Sunnymede Avenue, South Bend, Ind., died on Friday morning, March 19, in Memorial Hospital.

He was born on Sept. 11, 1931, in Elkhart, Ind., to Charles R. and Mary Colette (Haskins) Bickel, who preceded him in death. Tom was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary C. Shewalter.

Mr. Bickel was co-owner of the Tri-Valley Glass Company in South Bend for 21 years. He had lived in South Bend for the last 29 years, coming from South Holland, Ill., but had lived in Munster, Ind., for most of his life.

On June 26, 1965, in East Chicago, Ind., he married Mary McManus, who survives.

He is also survived by two daughters, Natalie M. (James) Aldridge of South Bend and Jennifer A. (Andrew) Sexton of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; two sons, Jeffery A. (Pamela) Bickel of Mishawaka, Ind., and Patrick J. (Laurie) Bickel of South Bend; six grandchildren, Brittney and Jordan Aldridge, Aubrey, Caitlyn and Tayler Bickel, and Samantha Sexton; a sister, Charlette (Ron) Barauskas of La Mirada, Calif.; and by several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Bickel was a stadium usher at Notre Dame and attended Purdue University. He was also a coach at the East Side Little League, was a member of the Builders Exchange, and was an active supporter of John Adams High School athletics.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, South Bend, where he was a member and usher.

Cremation will take place following services.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday in the Hickey Funeral Home, 3516 E. Jefferson, South Bend, where a Rosary will be said at 7 p.m.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or to Hospice of St. Joseph County, Inc.