John L. Bickell

John L. Bickell, 81, of Burlington, IA, formerly of Kirkwood IL, peacefully entered the presence of his Lord at 9:00 pm on December 11 2020.

John was born September 13, 1939 in Monmouth, IL the son of Charles Raymond and Lula V. (Phipps) Bickell. He was raised and educated in Kirkwood IL, graduating from Kirkwood High School in 1957.  He graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master’s in Education and earned his Bachelor’s and Specialist in Education degrees from Western Illinois University.

John married Ruth E. Morris in Kahoka, MO on May 2, 1959.

John was a devoted father, teacher, coach, and administrator at numerous schools in Illinois including Monmouth High School, Thomson School District, Williamsfield Schools, Stronghurst, Little York, Olney, and Albion.

He was a member of Harmony Bible Church, Burlington, IA, and for years led a bible study with a group from Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg.  John had a passion for studying God’s word and blessed many lives while teaching adult Sunday school classes.  He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and following the many activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth E. Bickell of Burlington, IA;  his children, Greg (Dina) Bickell  of St. Augustine FL, Gay Lynn (Joel) Kellogg of Valencia CA and Jon Bickell of Galesburg;  grandchildren, Landon (Kaleigh) Vance of St. Augustine FL, Elijah (Allison) Kellogg Missionaries in Myanmar, Grant (Joy) Bickell of Oklahoma City OK, Caleb (Marissa) Kellogg of Valencia CA, Aaron (Amy) Kellogg of Valencia CA, Alyssa (Josiah) Gates of St. Augustine FL, Sydney (Shane) Coleman of Yorktown VA, Zach Bickell of Amarillo TX and Alis Bickell of Knoxville; 16 great grandchildren;  his siblings, Joyce (Al) Hazelwood of Tyler TX, Elva Cox of Galesburg, Norma (Roger) Nuckles and Kathy (Rick) Levine of Monmouth, Judy (Jim) Andrews of Chaparrel NM and Tim Bickell of Hawaii; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Beulah Bolender, from Monmouth and Juanita Hart from Kirkwood.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Harmony Bible Church, Burlington IA. You can watch the service at two locations. youtube.com/HarmonyBibleChurch or facebook.com/HarmonyBible. For Facebook, please visit the Church’s page to get notifications. All are welcome to attend with masks and social distancing required.  Memorial offerings may be made to Harmony Bible Church – Benevolence Fund, Burlington, IA.  Cremation has been accorded with a private family interment taking place at Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouth, IL.