Mary Maxine Bickel

Mary Maxine Bickel, 91, of Terre Haute, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at Cobblestone Crossing’s Health Campus with her family by her side. She was born on August 9, 1926, in Terre Haute, to Thomas and Anna (Yeager) Jones. Mary is survived by her sisters, Merle Ellinger and Gayla Crum; step-daughters, Sue Villarreal and husband Denny, Jane Lee and husband William; grandchildren, Gayla Long, John Williams, and Steve Moy; great-grandchildren, Sydney Williams, Morgan Williams, Kristopher Long, Troy Long, Emilee Moy, and Keaton Moy; nephew, Jeff Crum; niece, Charlene Crum; great-nieces and nephews, Destiny Crum, Brittney Dewey, Bradley Dewey, and Robert Smith; and many other nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Earl Bickel, Thomas Hicks, and Owen McCullough; a daughter, Linda Moy; brothers, Arthur Jack Jones and Leon Duby; and half-sisters, Dorothy Price and Marjorie Parsley. Mary owned and operated Mary Hicks Sweet Shop for more than 25 years. She not only created hundreds of wedding cakes, but also catered to weddings as well as dinners served in her shop. She was well known for her candy making abilities, especially around the holidays when her orders filled much of her counter space in the kitchen and dining rooms. She did this until her mid 70’s, and no doubt would have continued until her last days because this was something she really enjoyed. Mary was a previous member of the Senior Citizen’s Swim Club at the YMCA and a board member for 3 of those years. She loved to swim and she walked many miles every day to stay active well into her 80’s. When she was married to Earl, they travelled often. They especially loved their trips to Hawaii and a cruise to Alaska. Mary was a long-time member of the First Church of the Nazarene during the leadership of Pastor Mathias and later Pastor Fleschner. Mary was a very active member in her church until her health failed her, no longer allowing her to remain as active, yet still spiritually engaged in her own way with the Lord. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, April 9 at Thomas Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, at the funeral home with Pastor Larry Mathias officiating. Mary will be laid to rest in Roselawn Memorial Park. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomasfuneralhome.net