John Merrill Pickell, 80, died Jan. 8, 2013 at his home in Zionsville.
John was born on July 22, 1932, in Dayton, Ohio to his parents, Claude Emerson and Alice Irene Grundy Pickell, who precede him in death. He was also preceded in death by three of his siblings, Patricia Pickell Oxley, and his twin brothers, Robert and Richard.
John graduated from Royerton High School in Muncie and studied Agriculture at Purdue University. He married the love of his life, Thelma Helen Coggins Pickell, Feb. 14, 1952 and moved to Zionsville in 1956.
A devoted husband and father, John and Thelma raised eight children all who survive them; John (Judy) Stewart, Beth Fuson, Cinda (Scott) Staser, Suzanne (Skip) Masten, Sam (Kim), Andy (Ericka), and Laura (Sean) McHale; his sister, Nancy Pickell Madigan, and the 18 grandchildren.
He worked for Rock Island Refinery for 37 years, was president of the local OCAW for many years and was a farmer. A man of deep faith, John was a member of the St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister, Facilities Manager and Parish Council member.
As a long time cancer survivor, John was passionate in volunteering his time in Zionsville’s Relay for Life and its Survivor’s Celebration. He “enjoyed his faith,” which his friends and his family loved that about him. John lived his life from a simple plan and mantra “Family First.” He was loved and revered by many and will be missed by all of the people who were fortunate enough to have known him.
Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, 1870 W. Oak St., Zionsville. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. following the visitation on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the PZAZ Memorial Tree Fund, Town of Zionsville, 1100 W. Oak St., Zionsville, IN 46077 in loving memory of John M Pickell.
Online condolences may be made at www.flannerbuchanan.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan-Zionsville.
Obituaries
Related Photos
John Merrill Pickell of Zionsville
- Obituaries
-
-
Jean M. Gunn
Jean Mitchell Gunn passed away peacefully on May 4, 2013, at the age of 87.
-
Gerald Munson Jr.
Gerald Walter “Jerry” Munson Jr., of Zionsville, died May 6, 2013, of complications from frontal lobe dementia.
-
Judith M. Harris
Judith “Judy” M. Harris, 74, of Zionsville, passed away on May 5, 2013.
-
Marilyn Ward
Marilyn Louise Ward, 83, of Zionsville, joined our heavenly father on Saturday, May 4, 2013.
-
Jean Smith
Jean Allison (Hutchins) Noble Smith passed away April 25, 2013, in Walnut Creek, Calif., at age 97.
-
Gladys Swain
Gladys Swain, 98, of Boone County, passed away April 24, 2013.
-
David Lee Abraham
David Lee Abraham, 54, Fortville, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013, at his home following an extended illness.
-
James F. Walls
James F. Walls, 79, of Zionsville, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2013.
-
Richard C. Kremkow
Richard C. Kremkow, 81, of Zionsville, died April 18, 2013.
-
Mary Lou Averitt
Mary Lou Quandt Averitt, 83, of Zionsville, died April 10, 2013, at St. Vincent Hospice, Indianapolis, after an extended illness.
- More Obituaries Headlines
-
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
