James F. “Jim” Bickel, 87, of Akron, passed at 8:36 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, at Woodlawn Hospital of Rochester.

James F. Bickel

Jim was born on Sept. 30, 1935, in Miami County, to the late Palmer O. and Maxine Ruth (Needham) Bickel. On Nov. 5, 1953, in Oswego, he married Shirley J. Wentzel, who survives.

He attended school in Gilead. Jim later served his country in the U.S. Army. After his military service, he and his wife moved back to Akron in 1960 to raise their family. Jim had been a truck driver for many years starting in the late ’50s, beginning as a milk truck driver. In 1965, he became an owner/operator of his own truck. He hauled for numerous trucking companies through the years.

Jim was a present member of the Lincoln Masonic Lodge No. 523, where he had been a member for over 50 years. He also was a member of the Laketon American Legion and served the community for four years on the Akron Town Council. Jim attended the Akron Church of God for many years. He had been a motorcycle enthusiast; Jim and Shirley rode the Goldwing many places. In 1979, he drove the Liberty Belle, a 1976 modified Kenworth owned by Metzger Trucking. He raced in Texas, California and Arizona. He won the California race on the 2.5-mile track, qualifying there at 110.3 mph.

Throughout all of Jim’s driving years, he estimated well over 5 million miles on the road. His last role was a daily route, hauling scrap metal for Rochester Iron & Metal. He drove 300 miles a day until January of 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Bickel, of Akron; children, Fred and wife Michele Bickel, of Warsaw, Jeni Adams, of Akron, and Jeff and wife Laura Bickel, of Akron; grandchildren, Colby (Jasmin) Bickel, Jamie (Andrew) Murphy, Nathaniel Bickel, Kala (Justin) Hughes and Ryan (Chaitra) Adams; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ruth Ann Funk, of Akron.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerry Bickel and Robert Eugene Bickel; and son-in-law, Gary Adams.

The funeral service for Mr. Bickel will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron, with Pastor Kathy Nelson and Pastor Mandy Nellans officiating.

Burial will be in the Akron Cemetery, Akron, with graveside military rites being performed by the Fulton County Honor Guard.

Visitation hours will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, with a Masonic Service at 8 p.m.

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