John Carl Bickham

Bickham, John Carl Bay City, Michigan Mr. Bickham passed away Wednesday morning February 12, 2014 at McLaren Bay Region surrounded by his loving wife and family. Age 76 years. John was born April 19, 1937 in Bay City and had retired from Dow Chemical Co. Plastic Lined Pipe in 1994 after thirty two years of service. He had served eight years in the United States Air Force as a Air Policeman serving as a K-9 Dog handler. He was an avid golfer, receiving recognition for seven hole in one's and he enjoyed fishing and camping with his family. John attended St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. On March 31, 1962 he married his wife of 51 years the former Mary Whittington in England and she survives his passing along with two sons and one daughter-in-law; Andrew and Jayne Bickham of Muskegon, MI and Daniel Bickham of Carlton, MI, one daughter; Jenny Joanisse-Bickham of Grand Haven, nine grandchildren; Mark (Shannon), Eric, Nichole, Christopher, Chad, Jamie, Abby, Winston and Isaac, 11 great grandchildren, one sister; Jane Cheeks, two brothers; Patrick Bickham and Larry Bickham and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Bickham was preceded in death by one son; Mark Bickham, one grandson; Shawn David Huq and three brothers; James, Dr. Richard and Gerald Bickham. Funeral Services and Rite of Committal will take place Saturday evening February 15, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Officiating will be Rev. Fr. Patrick M. Jankowiak. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. For those planning an expression of sympathy the family as that you consider a memorial to: Military Working Dog Teams National Monument or "Wishes of the Family" for a memorial to be established at a later time.