SPARTA - Wendell W. Bicket, age 93, of Sparta IL passed away at 6 pm October 22, 2016 at Randolph County Care Center in Sparta.  He was born January 5, 1923 in Sparta, the son of John Bicket and Mildred (Gordon) Bicket.  He married his high school sweetheart Geraldine ('Gerry') Kloth on March 20, 1943.  Bud (as he was known) was a well-respected farmer in the community until his retirement in 1998 at the age of 75.  He had three priorities in life:  church, family, and farming.  He was very active in the Randolph County Farm Bureau and the Randolph County FS, serving as FS President for 29 years.  And he absolutely loved to talk about farming, always keeping track of the grain markets, even at the age of 93.  As a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Sparta, he served in many capacities, including the building committee for construction of the current church buildings as well as member of the Session and the Deacons over the years.  He was also a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Geraldine, who passed away April 2013 and by his twin brothers – Hurless Bicket of Sparta who passed away in 1989 and Gordon Bicket of Sun City West AZ who passed away in 2015.  He is survived by his son Dennis and wife Lee of Aurora IL, their son Ryan and wife Deanna (sons Aiden, Alex, and Andrew) of Bossier City LA, and their son Jason and wife Catrina (daughter Vivianna) of Claremore OK; his daughter Diane of St. Louis; his son Douglas of Sparta, Douglas's son Brent and wife Lisa (son Alex) of Belleville IL, and another son Nick and wife Trish (sons Shane, Gene, and Joe) of Chester IL. He also leaves behind sisters-in-law Virginia Bicket of Sparta, Jackie Bicket of Sun City West AZ, and Mary Kloth of Sparta; nephew Greg Bicket (wife Bobbie) of Pinehurst NC; niece Tami Fruhling (husband Julian and daughter Stephanie) of Scottsdale AZ; niece Chris Spencer (husband Ron) of Collinsville IL; niece Melva Bonk and nephew Mark Kloth both of Sparta.

Visitation will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Sparta IL from 4-7 pm on Friday, November 4, 2016 and from 10 am until the service begins at 11 am on Saturday November 5, 2016. Funeral service will be at Trinity Presbyterian Church with Pastor David Hoffelmeyer officiating; funeral arrangements through Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville IL.   Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, Sparta IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church of Sparta or to Union Cemetery.