George F. Bickell, Sr., was born on January 2, 1934, in St. Louis, Missouri, one of five children, to George and Mildred (Wright) Bickell. He entered into rest on August 21, 2026, at his home in Neosho, at the age of 92. George graduated from high school in St. Louis, Missouri and from Hadley Technical School, also in St. Louis. On March 31, 1954, in St. Louis, he and Charlene Ferrill were united in marriage. He was employed as a welder at ART Welding in St. Louis and was a member of Local 27, Boiler Makers Union. The family lived in Illinois for thirty-nine years before moving to Greers Ferry, Arkansas. They resided in Greers Ferry from 1993 until moving to Neosho in 2005. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed woodworking, creating metal art and gardening. He and his wife, Charlene raised numerous foster children together. He was a member of Cave Springs Baptist Church in Neosho. Charlene preceded George in death on February 7, 2022, after sharing sixty-seven years of marriage. He is survived by four children, Judy Merriman and husband, John of Neosho, George F. Bickell, Jr. and wife, Debbie of Lecanto, Florida, Marilyn Durham and husband, Brian of Belleville, Illinois and Tracy Hinz and husband, Jim of Spokane, Washington; three grandsons, Corey Merriman of Kansas City, Missouri, Casey Merriman of Seneca, Missouri and Colby Merriman of Baxter Springs, Kansas; nine great grandchildren; one brother, Douglas Bickell and wife, Glenda of St. Louis, Missouri and special in-laws, Richard and Betty Mertens. In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by an infant brother, brother, Don Bickell and sister, Loretta Vance.