Wednesday, March 20th, 2019
Roger Bickel
Mr. Roger Lee Bickel, 75, of Troy, MO, formerly of Fort Recovery, passed away at 10:30 am on Sunday, March 17th 2019.
Many people would never know that he had a 16-year battle with a rare liver disease that turned fatal. His positive attitude and strong faith allowed him to live 10 years past what the Doctors' predicted that he would survive. No matter how much pain he endured, he always managed to have a smile on his face and act like everything was fine. Roger was surrounded by his loving family when he took his last breath at Barnes Jewish Hospital in Saint Peters.
Roger was loved and respected by his friends and family in the community. He was born on December 22, 1943 in Portland, Indiana to Ernest and Onnalee (Green) Bickel. He was raised in a small town in Ohio called Fort Recovery with his two younger sisters, Janice (Bickel) Fiely and Karen (Bickel) Ranly.
After graduation from high school, Roger attended DeVry University in Chicago where he earned an associates degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. Roger was hired by McDonnell-Douglas as an electrical technician in St. Charles, MO with several other classmates from DeVry University.
His roommate Chester "Chet" Trotto of Chicago was dating Kathryn Burkemper (Trotto) of Old Monroe, MO at the time and they arranged a blind date with one of her sisters. Sharon Lee Burkemper was introduced to Roger in the spring of 1967 and they fell in love. She was impressed by his stunning good looks and charming personality. Sharon grew up with 4 sisters and 6 brothers and Roger was like a brother to them. Roger and Sharon were married on April 27, 1968 at Immaculate Conception of Old Monroe.
Roger worked at McDonnell Douglas for a total of 25 years, eventually moving up to a Branch Manager over Maintenance at the Harpoon division in St. Charles, MO before leaving the company and working as a union Electrician with IBEW Local 1.
Roger had an impeccable work ethic and loved to manage people. He earned the nick-name "the kid" by his co-workers at McDonnell Douglas because he was much younger than many other managers at the time. Some of his neighbors and friends referred to him as "Catfish, Mr. Roger's or Slick".
In addition to being a Licensed Electrician, Roger was a real estate agent, farmer and avid do-it-yourselfer. He loved to fix things and spent many hours working on cars, small engines and other projects for his family. He was a devout Catholic and 3rd degree Knight who enjoyed helping others and being involved in the community.
Surviving Roger are his devoted and loving wife of over 50 years, Sharon (Burkemper) Bickel of Troy, MO; his 3 children, Michelle Lee (Jim) Bergman of Ballwin, MO, Thomas Eugene (Tammy) Bickel of Moscow Mills, MO and Heather Rene (Boyd) Wells, also Moscow Mills, MO; 6 Grandchildren; Kyle Thomas Bickel (25), Alexander Stephen Bickel (22), Claire Olivia Bickel (18), Matthew Robert Bergman (19), Andrew James Bergman (15), Summer Susan Schroeder (7), and 1 Great Grandchild; Owen Alexander Bickel (1). He is further survived by his 2 Sisters; Janice (Dick) Fiely and Karen (Ron) Ranly of Fort Recovery, OH and many other relatives and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Onnalee (Green) Bickel of Fort Recovery, OH. May he rest in peace.
Visitation is scheduled from 3:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday March 21, 2019 at the McCoy-Blossom Funeral Home, 1304 Boone Street, Troy, MO 636-528-8244.
Funeral Mass 10:00 am on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Sacred Heart Church, Troy, MO. Father Tom Wissler to officiate. Internment will be private.
Memorials may be made to the American Liver Foundation, c/o McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, Troy location.
Family and Friends are invited to sign our on-line guest registry at: www.mccoyblossomfh.com.
