Mark "Rat" Charles Bickel, I

Mark Charles "Rat" Bickel, I, age 74, of Huntington, IN, passed away Sunday evening, March 22, 2026, in the hands of his family while they were praying and singing the Divine Mercy Chaplet (per his request). He opened his eyes when they were singing as he took his final breaths.

It rained and hailed right before he died, and Mandy said, “Dad just needed to raise a little hail before he left.”

Mark was born on September 19, 1951, in Huntington, IN, to the late Norbert E. and Garnet (Fulton) Bickel.  He married Deborah Denner in 1986, and she survives and resides in Huntington. 

Mark had worked as a truck driver for Alro Steel in Fort Wayne for many years. Mark had grown up in the St. Mary parish and was a lifelong Catholic at both parishes in Huntington. Mark was a member of the Joy Pleasers Clowns, and it was not unusual to find him in Walmart making balloon animals for children, or perhaps you encountered him by walking through the Haunted Hotel as he clowned around there for many years. Mark had a way of making people feel loved and he always wanted to spread that love.

Mark was a simple man yet loved deeply. He was also known for a deer huntin, fishin, turtle trappin, frog giggin, card playin, aggravation playin, cookie & pie bakin, demo derby drivin, and Joy Pleasin clown with multiple personalities. All the while, helping others learn these skills as well. Mark was known as (“Ba-Lue,” Who, Nadine, and Turtle King the Clown). Dad would say (after many close calls with death), “I wasn’t bad enough for the devil, and not good enough for God, so I’m still here.” This time, he WAS good enough. We request that you bring your own saltshaker and a little pot (toilet/jar).

Along with his wife, Deborah, he is survived by three sons, J.R. (Evie) Bickel, FL, Paul Bickel, Huntington, IN, John (Rebecca) Denner; three daughters, Mandy (Derek) Sommers, Fort Wayne, IN, Amanda (Richard) Kochel, Fort Wayne, IN, Autumn (Justin) Haley, Huntington, IN; five brothers, Daniel “Booner” (Myra) Bickel, Joseph “Joe” (Jannie) Bickel, Patrick “Pork” (Martha) Bickel, James “Butch” (Evelyn) Bickel, all of Huntington, IN; Frederick “Fritz” (Gay) Bickel, Roanoke, IN, two sisters, Sondra Ness and Pam (Steve) Fleck, both of Huntington, IN.  Mark is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Kayla, Kinsley, Adalyn, Kaelyn, Arlia, Marcus-Lee, Rosaleen, Jason; and some of his closest friends whom he loved deeply, Bob Evans, Rabbit, Bud Miller, Murph; and numerous other people, whether he was a fill-in father, uncle, or friend.  Dad was known for making everyone feel loved as family.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by one grandson, Ambrose Kochel; five brothers, Bob Bickel, Paul “Punk” Bickel, John Bickel, Richard “Dick” Bickel, Anthony “Tony” Bickel, ; and five sisters, Barbara “Barb” Smart, Rita Kulb, Charlotte “Kiddo” Smart, Anne “Annie” Olinger and Nancy “Nance” Smart.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026, followed by the visitation until 7:00 p.m. at McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN.

Additional Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., with the Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10:00 a.m. all at St. Mary Catholic Church, 903 N. Jefferson Street, with Fr. Tony Steinacker presiding.

Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Huntington, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to McElhaney Funeral Home, Rosary Sodality, Open Door, Joy Pleasers, or the VFW #2689, in care of McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN  46750.

McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences:   www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome.com

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