Louis Leo Bichsel Sr.

SERVICES: Vigil services will be at 7:00 PM Friday, June 6, 2008, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa, and funeral mass will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, June 7, 2008, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Deer, with Rev. Elias Rodrigues of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church of Pampa, officiating. BURIAL: Sacred Heart Cemetery in White Deer, with military honors courtesy of the U. S. Army personnel from Fort Hood, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Bichsel was born on August 7, 1927 in White Deer to Leo M. and Adella Bichsel. He married Vivian L. Spoonemore on November 7, 1947 in Corning, Iowa. Louis was a veteran of the U. S. Army Air Force, serving during World War II. He worked for Northern Natural Gas from 1950 until 1964. He then worked for Ike's Garage in White Deer as a mechanic, and then later opening Louis' Garage. He then worked for Northern Gas Pipeline as a field booster operator, retiring in 1992. On May 23, 2008, Louis was honored with his high school diploma made possible by the VFW.SURVIVORS: Wife: Vivian Bichsel of the home; 3 daughters: Diana Bichsel of White Deer, Becky Baten and husband Gene of Pampa, and Debbie Alford and husband Greg of Katy; 2 sons: Rudy Bichsel of Pampa, and Randy Bichsel and wife Barbara of Booker; 7 grandchildren: Rick Baten and wife Sissy of McLean, Stephannie Ellis and husband Richard of McLean, Keven Baten, Tanya Gasaway, and Cherie Keller and husband Chris, all of Pampa, Chris Alford and Tasha Boyd, both of California; 2 step-grandchildren: Tory Laimonis and wife Tanna of Michigan, and Jason Laimonis of Ohio; 6 great-grandchildren: Zoie Baten, Zarek Baten, Kaia Gasaway, Dylan Ellis, McKenzie Ellis, and Dietrick Keller; 8 step-great-grandchildren: Lisa Ellis, Lyndsey Ellis, Kristin Ellis, Rena Smith, Brook Alley, Noah Laimonis, Erik Laimonis and Ryan Laimonis; 5 brothers: George Bichsel and wife Bonnie of Perryton, Gerald Bichsel and wife Carolyn of Dallas, Robert Bichsel and wife Margie of White Deer, Marion Bichsel of Houston, and Jim Bichsel and wife Nadine of Pampa; 1 sister: Lori Albus and husband Charles of Pampa. Louis was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Richard Bichsel, Wallace Bichsel, and Wilford Bichsel, and a sister, Geraldine Held.MEMORIALS: Odyssey Hospice, 6900 I-40 West, Suite 150, Amarillo, Texas 79106.