James "Jim" F. Bickel

James F. “Jim” Bickel, 87, of Akron, Indiana passed at 8:36 pm, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023 at Woodlawn Hospital of Rochester, Indiana. Jim was born on Sept. 30, 1935 in Miami County, Indiana to the late Palmer O. and Maxine Ruth (Needham) Bickel. He married on Nov. 5, 1953 in Oswego, Indiana to Shirley J. Wentzel, she survives. He attended school in Gilead. Jim later served his country in the U.S. Army. After his military service, he and his wife moved back to Akron in 1960 to raise their family. Jim had been a truck driver for many years starting in the late 50’s, beginning as a milk truck driver. In 1965 he became an owner/operator of his own truck. He hauled for numerous trucking companies through the years. Jim was a present member of the Lincoln Masonic Lodge #523, where he had been a member for over 50 years. He also was a member of the Laketon American Legion and served the community for 4 years on the Akron Town Council. Jim attended the Akron Church of God for many years. He had been a motorcycle enthusiast, Jim and Shirley rode the Goldwing many places. In 1979, he drove the Liberty Belle, a 1976 modified Kenworth owned by Metzger Trucking. He raced in Texas, California, and Arizona. He won the California race on the 2.5 mile track, qualifying there at 110.3 mph. Throughout all of Jim’s driving years, he estimated well over 5 million miles on the road. His last role was a daily route, hauling scrap metal, for Rochester Iron & Metal. He drove 300 miles a day until January of 2023. He is survived by his wife Shirley Bickel of Akron; children Fred and wife Michele Bickel of Warsaw, Jeni Adams of Akron, Jeff and wife Laura Bickel of Akron; grandchildren Colby (Jasmin) Bickel, Jamie (Andrew) Murphy, Nathaniel Bickel, Kala (Justin) Hughes, Ryan (Chaitra) Adams; 6 Great Grandchildren; a sister Ruth Ann Funk of Akron. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jerry Bickel and Robert Eugene Bickel, and son-in-law Gary Adams. The funeral service for Mr. Bickel will take place at 10:00 am, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 at Hartzler Funeral Home 305 West Rochester Street Akron, Indiana with Pastor Kathy Nelson and Pastor Mandy Nellans officiating. Burial will be in the Akron Cemetery, Akron, Indiana with graveside military rites being performed by the Fulton County Honor Guard. Visitation hours will be held from 4 pm to 8 pm, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, Indiana with a Masonic Service at 8:00 pm.

James "Jim" F. Bickel

September 30, 1935 - August 7, 2023