Marilyn Bickel, age 77, passed away peacefully at 1:50 pm, with family at her side, on July 15, 2014 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN.
       Marilyn was born on April 3, 1937 to Martin and Adeline Verburg in Chicago, IL. Her happy childhood was spent in Chicago with her brother, Martin Verburg. The family lived in California briefly before moving to Plymouth, IN where she met her husband, Warren Eldon Bickel. Warren and Marilyn married on June 20, 1959. They made their beautiful home in Culver, IN and celebrated their 55th anniversary this year.
       Marilyn enjoyed her participation in The Golden Key Homemakers Club for many years, and her card club called, Pretty Important Girls? Society (PIGS) for over 40 years. She was the long-time club secretary for Power from the Past. More recently, she was an active member of the Culver Walkers, enjoying morning walks, creating fabulous scarecrows, playing games and sharing in friendship for the past two decades. Marilyn owned and operated Bick?s Flicks, Culver?s video store, from 1986 to 2006. Remember the free salt water taffy?
       She was an active community member and business woman, but her greatest passion was being a loving mother and grandmother. She was the proud mother of her three sons: Dan, Paul and John. She is also the exceedingly proud grandmother of Carly Sherbert and Julie Bickel, and she has spent this year enjoying her life as the great-grandmother of her precious great-grandson, Owen.
       She was exceptionally artistic, which can be witnessed in her beautiful garden, fine drawings and photography. She meticulously chronicled her family?s lives through scrapbooking and photo albums. All of her sons and granddaughters have been specifically touched by her appreciation of art and the beauty of nature. She has impacted so many people?s lives with her positive spirit and warmth. She will be deeply missed.
       A reception will be held on Saturday, July 19th from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at the family home in Culver with a memorial ceremony at 2:00 pm.
       In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Culver Lions Club. PO Box 330, Culver, IN 46511