Charles “Charlie” Bickell Jr., age 60, of Minong, WI passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Hayward Health Services in Hayward, WI.

Charles Franklin Bickell Jr. was born March 5, 1964, in Kansas City, MO, the son of Charles and Eleanor (Horton) Bickell. Charles was born into an Air Force family, and they moved where his father was stationed. The family lived in Kansas, California, Alaska, Madison, WI, South Carolina and South Dakota while Charles attended school. His family settled in Minong, WI where Charles would graduate from Northwoods High School in 1982.

Charles worked a short time as a lumberjack before joining the U.S. Air Force on May 13, 1983. While serving his country, Charles earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Short-Tour Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Long-Term Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. He served in support of Operation Desert Storm/Shield/Calm. Charles was stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines as part of his years of service. While living there, Charles met Jesusa Lapidante, and on December 23, 1991, they were married at Angeles City, Philippines.

Charles was honorably discharged on June 12, 1992, and then moved to Minong, WI. Charles continued working at several local welding shops and then worked as a mechanic for Link Recreational in Minong. He enjoyed welding, fishing, hunting, singing karaoke, playing the electric guitar and listening to Rock music. He had the ability to fix just about anything and would even make his own computers from discarded parts. His great sense of humor and inappropriate jokes will always be remembered by his friends and family.

Charles is survived by his wife of 33 years, Jesusa “Susie”; daughter, Jessica Bickell of Minong, WI; grandson, Richard; parents, Charles and Eleanor; sister, Lisa (George Bryant) Kersten of Spooner, WI; and nephew, Michael Giacchetti.

A visitation and gathering will be held for Charles from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Spooner Funeral Home. A private interment will follow at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Beaver Brook Township. Military honors will be accorded by the State of Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program.

Last Update: Mar 03, 2025 1:32 pm CST