Gerald Eugene Bickel

 Gerald Eugene Bickel, affectionately known as Papa, Jerry, Moose and PeeWee, 87, of Reno, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May, 6 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was a wonderful, loving husband, father and grandfather. He was born December 22, 1938 in Oil City to the late Hobart M. and Nellie Mae Culbertson Bickel. Mr. Bickel married the former Sandra L Hipple on September 8, 1962. They shared 63 beautiful years together. He graduated from Oil City High School in 1956 without ever missing a day of school. After graduation he worked for Marshall’s bakery and that love of baking continued through his life. He would bake cookies with his grandchildren and that tradition has carried through with his daughters and their grandchildren. Mr. Bickel was drafted into the US Army in December 1961 until February 1965. He was stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington state. He was employed as Supervisor of mail for the United States Postal Service until his retirement in 1994. He worked at Wanango Country Club for many years as a grounds keeper. This passion carried forward to his own property where he was well known for his meticulous lawn. In addition to his wife Sandra he is survived by 4 daughters, Tamara (Scott) Reib of Magnolia Texas, Traci (Kevin) Hansen of Oil City, Trisha (Timothy) Crowe of West Bloomfield, MI and Tina McMahon of Oil City. Mr. Bickel is also survived by 10 grandchildren Justin (Jamie) Reib and Jordan (Kaitlyn) Reib of Texas, Matthew (Michelle) Hovis of Erie, Travis (Katelin) Taylor of Seneca, Shayna (Timothy) Krizon of Oil City, Michael (Amanda) Crowe, Rachel (Nicholas) Dupuis of MIchigan, Ryan (Emilee) McMahon of Oklahoma, Eric McMahon of Pittsburgh, and Neil McMahon of Reno, 10 great grandchildren with 1 due in June, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Bickel was an active member of the Reno Volunteer Fire Department, he played on the senior league at the Sleepy Hollow Golf Course. He also attended Trinity United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Ruth, his brothers, Richard, Calvin, Wayne and a twin brother Gordon along with a son in law Mark McMahon. The family would like to acknowledge the Veterans Administration, the care givers of CRI (especially Erica Griffith his daily aide), the wonderful care from AseraCare Hospice Care and his evening aide Kim Cash. Memorial donations in Mr. Bickel’s name can be made to the Reno Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 149 Reno, PA 16343. The family will received friends from 3:00P.M.-5:00P.M.  June 27 in the Reno Social Hall. Interment will be in Reno Cemetery. Reinsel Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.

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