Eric Martin Bickel, 94, of Frankenmuth, formerly of Vassar, died early Wednesday morn-ing, October 29, 2014 at his residence. He was born February 11, 1920 in Frankenmuth, son of the late William and Lydia (Bender) Bickel. On May 29, 1943, he married the former Laura Huber in Richville. She predeceased him May 24, 2011. Eric was a member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville where he held various offices in the church. He also was a member of the Richville Lions Club, the Richville Conservation Club and farmed in the Vassar area all of his life. He enjoyed being with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and gardening. Surviving are his four sons and their spouses, Robert and Lois Bickel of Frankenmuth; Gene and Lois Bickel of Vassar; Paul and Kathy Bickel of Reese and Loren Bickel of Caro; his daughter-in-law, Nancy Bickel Findlay of Frankenmuth; fifteen grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. Also surviving are his two sisters, Loretta Bierlein of Saginaw; and Gertrude (Ruben) Bierlein of Reese; two sisters-in-law, Lillian Bickel of Frankenmuth; and Irene Bickel of Mt. Clemens. In addition to his parents and wife, Laura, Eric was predeceased by his son, Kurt W. Bickel, his grandson, Kurt Joseph Bickel, two brothers, Waldemar Bickel and Fred Bickel, two sisters, Greta Schiefer and Alice Scharrer, sisters-in-law, Irene Kern, and Ruth Sheltrow and four brothers-in-law, Carl Schiefer, Adolph Bierlein, Arnold B. Kern and Woodrow Sheltrow. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2014 from the St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville. Rev. Rob Gadeken and Rev. Wesley Gillaspie will both officiate with committal services to follow in the St. Michael’s Cemetery. Eric’s family received friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 9940 Saginaw St. in Reese on Friday from 2-8 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the services. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the St. Michael’s Lutheran church or the donor’s favorite charity.
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