Donald Oren Bickham

Nov. 27, 1920 - Dec. 20, 2006

PLATTSMOUTH -- Donald Oren Bickham, 86, died Wednesday (Dec. 20, 2006) at Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth.

He was born Nov. 27, 1920, in Birmingham, Ala., to Millard Eugene and Jessie (Bottorff) Bickham. They moved to St. Joseph, Mo., where grew up and attended school.

He entered the U.S. Army in 1939, serving for 14 years in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He received a Bronze Star.

On Nov. 25, 1945, he married Beverly June Littles in St. Joseph, Mo. In 1952, he began working as a supervisor of bridges and buildings for Burlington Railroad in McCook. He retired in 1982, and they lived in McCook until moving to Plattsmouth on Dec. 1, 2006.

He was a member of the McCook City Council, a 51 year member and Master in 1990 for the Masonic Lodge No. 131, Head of all York Rite Bodies, York Rite Council No. 173 of North Platte, Masonic Temple Craft, Eureka Chapter No. 86 Order of the Eastern Star all of McCook, Charity Lodge No. 331, Scottish Rite, Molia Temple of the Shrine all of St. Joseph, Mo., Tehama Temple of the Shrine at Hastings, Right Eminent Grand Commander of Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Nebraska 1995, Shiloh Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, Allied Masonic Degrees, Nebraska Veteran Freemasons, Assn., Knights of the York Cross of Honor, and Holder of the Purple Cross of York Rite Sovereign College of North America. He was also a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Allen and Mike Bickham; adopted brother, J.D. Locke; and adopted nephew, Delross Locke.

Survivors include his wife, June of Plattsmouth; two sisters, Clara Winkleman of Wilsonville, Ore., and Esther Poindexter of Palm Harbor, Fla.; and adopted family, Betty Locke of Everest, Kan., Daniel Locke and wife, Ellen of Newton, Kan., Duncan Locke and wife, Shelley of Raymond, Dwight Locke and wife, Sharon of Atchison, Kan., and Lura Fientle and husband, William of Lincoln.

Funeral services will be Saturday 10 a.m., at Nebraska Masonic Home Chapel in Plattsmouth with the Rev. Dr. Doug Delp officiating. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at the Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster, Kan., with Marshall Grant officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be given in his name to Nebraska Masonic Home or Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook.

Roby Funeral Home of Plattsmouth is in charge of arrangements.