James Donald "Scrapper" Bicha
Aug. 7, 1930 to March 20, 2013
James Donald Bicha , 82, went to be with Jesus on March 20, 2013. He lived with his daughter in Anderson. “Scrapper”, with his family alongside him, battled Alzheimer’s.
He was born August 7, 1930, in St. Paul, Minnesota to Jeanette Bertha Cole and Joseph John Bicha. He earned his Master’s degree at Ball State in Elementary Education. For over 30 years he taught school-including Park Place Elementary in Anderson (fourth and fifth grade). He also coached football and track.
He loved nature and camping with his family. One summer he took his children to the Grand Canyon and westward. He also enjoyed baking bread. James was an avid bird-watcher and dog-lover.
He attended and taught Sunday School at West Cross Street Alliance Church in Anderson.
Survivors include his daughters, Cynthia Detweiler (husband, Robert) Anderson, Melody Childs (husband Scott), Australia; also, sons, Thomas (wife Kathy), Indianapolis, Wesley (wife Rosemary), Tennessee, and Timothy (wife, Linda), Canada; sister, Phyllis Arbuckle, Minnesota; brother, Jerry (Norma) Bicha, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Evelyn and their infant son, Stephen Paul; his second wife, Marsha and 6 siblings, Joseph, Robert, Raymond, Jeanette, Marian and Pearl.
Service 2:00 pm Monday at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service with Chaplin Mark Coffman officiating. Burial at East Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation two hours prior to the service.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.