CLAFLIN — Robert E. Hickel, 81, went to be with our Lord Saturday, May 21. He died at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born Feb. 5, 1930, in rural Barton County, the son of Robert Anthony and Emma (Zecha) Hickel. He married Betty J. Lawrence on May 28, 1951, at Hoisington. A lifetime Claflin resident, he was a retired farmer/stockman and oil producer.

Mr. Hickel was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, K of C Council 1500, Farm Bureau, Claflin Co-op board member, past president of the Wheat Growers Association and for many years was a church choir member.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; six sons, Steve Hickel and wife Dorian, Rick Hickel and wife Dawnya, Doug Hickel and wife Karen, David Hickel and wife Cheryl, and Kyle Hickel, all of Claflin, and Curtis Hickel of Great Bend; three daughers, Janell Hubbard and husband Doug, Claflin, June Halliwill and husband Jeff, Beaumont, Calif., and Janine Dutton and husband Kirby, El Dorado; four sisters, Gertrude Hickel and Viola McCafferty, both of Wichita, KS, Patty Keenan of Great Bend and Jeanette Parnall of Wisconsin; one brother, Vernon Hickel of Anchorage, Alaska; 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter J. Hickel and Elmer Hickel, and two sisters, Katherine Stalker and Maxine Hickel.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Claflin, with Father Charles Mazouch officiating. Burial will be at Claflin Cemetery in Claflin. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, and 6 p.m. today at the church, and 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. A vigil service will be at 7 tonight at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Claflin Ambulance Service or American Heart Society, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.