Thomas R. Bickel, 87, of Peru passed away at 9:50 AM, Saturday, October 31, 2020 at the Blair Ridge Health Campus. He was born in Wabash, IN on January 15, 1933 the son of Raymond and Matilda Jane Meek Bickel. Tom married Wanda Sue Webb Bickel at the Speicherville Evangelical United Brethren Church, Wabash, IN on November 29, 1951 and she survives.
Tom is a 1951 graduate of Wabash High School and a member of the First Baptist Church in Peru. Tom was the maintenance superintendent at the First Baptist Church for 34 years from 1960-1994. His motto was, “God’s House should have the best and look its best at all times.” At age 8 or 9 he sold pop, gum, and candy at his dad’s garage in Culver. Later he mowed lawns. As a young man he had a paper route on the west end of Wabash. While in high school he worked part-time at the Eagles and Colonial Theatres in Wabash popping corn. He worked at Kitchen Maid Factory in Andrews, IN from 1952-1956. He was employed as a Forester at the Salamonie River State Forest at Lagro from 1956-1960.
Tom was a hard working, caring, and compassionate man. He was a carpenter, a writer, a father of four and has been married to the same women for 68 years. Tom was the most amazing husband, father, and grandfather and has certainly left very large shoes to fill.
Surviving in addition to his wife are his sons Rick (Kim) Bickel, Randy (Sandy) Bickel, and Russ (Jan) Bickel, a daughter Risa (Kurt) Krauskopf, brother-in-law Danny (Docia) Webb, grandchildren Nathan, Jamy (Pam), Julie, Stephanie, and Kily Bickel and Kyle and Cody Krauskopf, step grandchildren, Jennifer Huff, Laura Secord and Casey Baldwin, great grandchildren Britne Jo Bickel, Lily Mosely, William, Mosely, Jasmine Mosley, and Elijah Bickel, and step great grandchildren Kane Miller and Jayden Miller.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and brother J.E. Bickel.
A private family service will be held Wednesday at the First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made through the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home to the First Baptist Church of Peru.
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