Donald Richard Bickel, Sr., 86, of 7 E Second St, Oil City, died unexpectedly at 9:15 am, Monday, March 27, 2017, at UPMC Hamot in Erie, following complications from a recent surgery.

Born February 27, 1931 in Reno, he was a son of the late Francis E. Bickel Sr. and Flora E. Downing Bickel.

Don proudly served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1952.

He was an avid outdoorsman, loved nature, growing flowers and watching birds. He was an avid sports fans, especially the Pirates and college and pro basketball.

Don was a member of the Free Methodist Church of Oil City.

He was a member and past commander of the Oil City VFW.

Don was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and a friend to all who knew him, for this he will be sadly missed.

Surviving are his daughters, Linda A. Melin and husband Bob of Bremerton WA, Cynthia L Lehnortt of Oil City, and Dawn E. McVay and husband John of Rockland; grandchildren, Holly Jo Tucheck and husband Jimmy of Payette ID, Angela K. Pleger and boyfriend James of Seattle WA, Daniel E. Pleger II and wife Stacy of Port Orchard WA, Melissa A. Quintero and husband Mark of El Paso TX, Ryan T. Lehnortt and wife Anna of Oil City, Troy M. Lehnortt and wife Courtney of Beaver, Evan M. Lehnortt and wife Michelle of Midland, and Haylee, Allyson, Caleb and Kendyll McVay of Rockland; and great grandchildren, Samantha, Abigail, Kenneth, Rebekah and Ida Tucheck of Payette ID, Daniel III and Scarlett Pleger of Port Orchard WA, Evalyn, Gracie and Gabriela Quintero of El Paso TX, and Jarrett and Samuel Lehnortt of Oil City.

He is also survived by a sister, Marilyn (Jean) Benton of Oil City; and a loving friend, Sally O’Neil and her children Pam and Rich.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Donald R. Bickel, Jr. in 1988 and brothers, Francis E. Bickel, Jr., Frederick Bickel and sister, Shirlie Bryan.

Friends may call at the Morrison Funeral home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 11 am Saturday with the Rev. T. Christopher Hill, officiating.

Full military honors will be accorded by the VETS Honor Guard.

Interment will be in Shaw Farm Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to the American Heart Association, the Center for Organ Recovery and Education, the Venango County Humane Society or to a charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences can be made at https://www.morrisonhome.com