Alvin L Bickett

Alvin L. Bickett, 83, of Bradford died at 1:15 p.m.Thursday, June 24, 2010, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Born Jan. 10, 1927, in Buda to Jesse and Lorine (Fenwick) Bickett, he married Joyce E. Blackwell Dec. 12, 1954, in LaMoille. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Gregory (Teresa) Bickett of Prophetstown,and Christopher (Kristen) Bickett of Groveland, six grandchildren, David (Amy) Bickett of Princeton, Jonathon Bickett of Moline, Steven Bickett of Prophetstown, Angela Bickett of Peoria, Carlie Bickett of Buda/Groveland, and Jacob Bickett of Buda/Groveland; and two sisters, Dorothy (Charles) Smith of Princeton, and Christine Brutcher of Princeton. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, James, Joseph, Charles, Robert and Wayne; four sisters, Marcella Dobson, Evelyn McCoy, Lucille Rick and Estella Hedgepath. He was a lifetime farmer, retiring from Bickett Farms in 2000. He was a member of Leet Memorial United Methodist Church in Bradford, Bradford American Legion 445 and former member of Princeton Moose and Princeton Elks. He served in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant. He was a member of the 5th Regimental Combat Team during the Korean Conflict and served as Tank Commander. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Leet Memorial United Methodist Church in Bradford, Pastor Jeffery S. Patrick Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Princeton. Military rites will be conducted by the Bradford American Legion 445 Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Sunday at the Grant-Johnson Funeral Home in Bradford. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family of Alvin L. Bickett for a memorial which will be established through the Bradford American Legion. Pallbearers will be David Bickett, Jonathon Bickett, Steven Bickett, Gerald King, William Bickett and Will Pringer. Honorary pallbearers will be Angela Bickett, Carlie Bickett, and Jacob Bickett. Grant-Johnson Funeral Home in Bradford is assisting the family.