Wayne J. Bickel, 81, of Geneva passed away Saturday morning at 1:23 AM March 16, 2024 at Swiss Village in Berne, IN. He was born on July 31, 1942 to Paul and Mary (Harshman) Bickel of Portland, IN. and was a 1960 graduate of Poling High School. After graduation he started to work for CTS of Berne.
On July 12, 1964 Wayne married Phyllis Shultz and they had a beautiful daughter six years later named Lisa. After a few years working in Berne, Wayne and his family were transferred to Brownsville, Texas where Wayne was to head up a screw machine division before his return to Geneva to start his own company, known as Geneva Screw Machine Products and CDM which he ran with his wife, Phyllis, until his retirement in 2020.
Wayne was a member of the Union Chapel Church of Bryant where he was on the church board, acted as an Elder, a trustee, and was on the Pastoral Search Committee. Wayne was an active Town Council President for the town of Geneva, also. Thru the years, Wayne enjoyed deer and elk hunting, tournament bass fishing, league bowling, competitive archery, watching Indiana basketball games, and the U.S. Camero Car Club, which he was part owner of. Wayne was also a published photographer.
Wayne will forever be missed by his loving and dedicated wife- Phyllis who has stood by his side for the past 59 ½ years. He is also survived by his daughter – Lisa (Steve) Hammell, Berne, IN, two granddaughters – Emilie Hammell, Berne, IN, and Nikole Hammell, Berne, IN, several nieces & nephews, sisters-in-law – Kathy Bickel, Engelwood, FL, Trudy (Bill) Baidinger, Angola, IN, Darlene (John) McKinney, Lebanon, IN, Wanda Shultz, Las Cruses, NM, and brother-in-law – J.D. Shultz, Centerville, IN.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, his brother- Ronald, brother-in-law – Ray Shultz, and a niece – Jennifer Tutwiler
Family and friends may gather to share and remember at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home 100 N Washington Street Geneva on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour prior to service on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
A service to celebrate Wayne’s life will be at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 with Pastor David Cassity officiating. Interment will follow in the Gravel Hill Cemetery in Bryant, IN.
Arrangements are being handled by Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in Geneva.