Burldene Bickel

On Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 6:30 P.M., Burldene ‘Burl’ Bickel passed from this earth to be with her God. A former resident of Logansport, IN, for many years, she ended her last days in Anderson, IN. She returned to the town of her birth in October 2005 so she could be watched over and cared for by her niece, Rachel Walters Stefanini, and her nephew, Paul Bickel. The caring and dedicated staffs at Vermillion Place, Monticello House, and Summitville Convalescent Center were also instrumental in making her last days happy, comfortable and peaceful.

She was born on May 4, 1921, to Howard and Myrtle Romine of Anderson, IN. She graduated from Anderson High School and Anderson Business School then worked for a short time at American Playground. She met and fell in love with Carl Bickel and the two were married on October 9, 1949. After their honeymoon, they moved right away to Logansport to start Bickel’s store. They sold bicycles, toys, games, crafts, model trains and cars, as well as running a bicycle repair shop and lock smithing business. The two ran the business together until Carl’s death on August 28, 1990. Burl continued the business with the help of her devoted employees, Mary Ulerick, Lou Ousley, and Gene Llewellyn, until she decided at the age of 83 that it was time to retire. The store was located in the Logansport Mall and closed its doors in February of 2005. It was a well known place of business that many folks still remember with fond memories.

Burl was an easily recognized figure in the town of Logansport. She was known for her attention to the community as well as its citizens’ needs. She founded a community service youth group known as the Johnny Appleseeders in 1961 that was devoted to improving the appearance of Logansport. She and Carl also worked with church youth groups for many years and were actively involved in bicycle parades as well as a flower box program for the bridges that cross the two rivers of the city. In 2005, Burl was the recipient of the Brass Ring courtesy of the Pharos-Tribune in honor of her past work in promoting the quality of life in Logansport and Cass County. In their younger days, Carl and Burl were often spotted riding about town on their tandem bicycle.

Burl was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, her sister, Katherine (Romine) Buck, her brothers, Paul Romine and George Romine, and her parents, Howard Romine and Myrtle (Horton) Romine. She is survived by a sister, Vivian (Romine) Walters, several nieces and nephews, and numerous great as well as great-great nieces and nephews.

Burl was a creative, energetic, sharp witted and opinionated individual yet was generous, giving and caring towards others. She made us laugh; she made us cry. She lived life the way she wanted and the memory of her high spirited outlook on life will not be soon forgotten.

Services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the Gundrum Funeral Home in Logansport. Visitation hours will be from noon until time of services on Tuesday and will be directly followed by burial services at Mount Hope Cemetery. Burl will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Carl. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. For those wishing to leave special memories or condolences for the family please go to (www.gundrumfuneralhome.com).

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