Lucille Bickle
Lucille L. Ventura Bickle, 96, of McAlester, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020 at a local nursing center. Lucille was born to George and Evie Ventura on June 26, 1924 in Bloomington, Ill., where she was raised along with her four brothers and one sister. She graduated from Bloomington High School in 1942 and later moved to Englewood, Calif. During WWII, Lucille worked at North American Aviation airplane factory and was an original “Rosie the Riverter.” She met and married her husband, Jack Nelson Bickle, on Feb. 2, 1945 in California. Later that year they moved to Stigler.
Jack and Lucille moved the family to McAlester in 1951.
In 1967, Lucille attended beauty college in Muskogee and for the next 47 years she worked as a beautician in McAlester. In 1980, her beauty shop was built and added onto the house, where Lucille owned and operated Hairbenders on East Cherokee Avenue until her retirement in 2014. Lucille was a longtime member of St. John’s Catholic Church and was also a member of the Red Hat Society. Lucille delivered “Meals on Wheels” for many years in McAlester. She loved to travel, making many trips to California, Illinois and Ohio visiting her Ventura family members. In 2000, Lucille, along with her sister and brothers, traveled abroad visiting her Ventura and Catalano cousins in Caccamo, Sicily.
Lucille is survived by her children; Pam Mendenhall of Fort Smith, Ark., Kurt Bickle and wife, Sharon, of Tulsa, Betty Cone and husband, Bob, of Krebs, David Bickle of Broken Arrow and Johnny Bickle of Krebs; grandchildren; Angie Buckner and husband, James, of Kiowa, Alan Long and wife, Summer, of Crowder, Shelly Reed and husband, Steve, of Kiowa, Chris Richmond and wife, Christy, of Hartshorne, Tara Lindsey and husband, Ed, of Tulsa, Haley Longshore and husband, Chad, of Wagoner, Lee Bickle and wife, Wimara, of Tulsa, Adrienne Bickle of Broken Arrow, Ally Bickle of Edmond, Aaron Bickle of McAlester, Kimber Ramsey and husband, Jacob, of Krebs and Bryan Bickle of McAlester; brother; Jim Ventura of Santa Paula, Calif.; 20 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Bickle; son, Mark Bickle; grandson, Keith Nelson; sister, Mary Sievers; and brothers, Joe Ventura, George Ventura and David Ventura.
Pallbearers will be Alan Long, Chris Richmond, Lee Bickle, Aaron Bickle, Bryan Bickle and James Buckner.
Due to the COVID19 virus safety regulations, a private, family only Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church celebrated by Father Jovita Okonkwo. Burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, McAlester.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bishop Funeral Service, McAlester.