Mary Alice Bicker

Mary Alice Bicker, former school teacher, 74, of Freeport, died Friday December 2, 2011 at the Manor Court of Liberty Village in Freeport surrounded by loved ones. She fought courageous battles with breast and myeloma cancers. She is now celebrating life eternal with our Heavenly Father! Mary was born in Freeport on October 31, 1937. She was the daughter of Clark and Alice Plager of Pearl City. She graduated from Pearl City High School in 1955, Illinois State Normal University in 1959, and received her Master'™s in education from National University in 1990. She married Lowell Bicker on June 14, 1959, in Shannon. She and her husband farmed together near Florence Station. Lowell died on August 9, 2007. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and her husband'™s best friend. Her faith, family and friends were most important in her life. Her greatest pleaser was sharing good times with the people she loved. Her hobbies were writing and reading poetry. Mary began her career teaching in Freeport at former Lincoln School. She taught at Empire and Taylor Park Schools, primarily in second and third grades, until retiring in 2002. She continued in education in a tutoring capacity for 8 years. She was an active member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon, the Christians Couples Sunday School Class, and the Rachel Circle. Mary belonged to Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society of women teachers, and served in a number of office positions. Other memberships were the Illinois and National Education Associations, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and the Stephenson County Retired Teachers Association. She belonged to the Friends and Neighbors Extension Unit with a perfect attendance record for more than 40 years. She served on the Extension County Board from 2004-2008 and worked with CrimeStoppers in Freeport. She was an avid volunteer for Contact and Freeport Health Network. Survivors include; her three daughters; Brenda (Wayne) Gullickson of Batavia, Beth (Tom) Dulee of Bloomington and Becky (Carl) Erbsen of Lanark; seven grandchildren; Ashley, Tyler and Tanner Gullickson, Brad and Laura Dulee and Nathan and Nevin Erbsen; one brother; Richard (Nancy) Plager; sister-in-law DeLores Bicker of Baileyville. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by husband, Lowell in 2007 and her parents. The best descriptors of Mary are those from her grandchildren; Strong, Caring, Fun to be around, Great Teacher, Awesome! , Good cook (especially deviled eggs!), and Cheerleader at fairs and games. Her celebration of life will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday December 7, 2011 at Shannon Bethel United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Aram officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. There will also be a visitation Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at Shannon Bethel United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A memorial has been established in Mary'™s memory. The family requests that donations be made to the memorial in lieu of flowers, so they can continue to do good things in the communities for the people that Mary so dearly loved. Please sign the guestbook at www.burketubbs.com. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.' Proverbs 3: 5-6