Birckbichler

Wendel A. "Chip" Birckbichler, 82, of Butler died Saturday at the Sugar Creek Rest.

Born March 2, 1926, in Butler, he was a son of Andrew and Elizabeth Hopkins Birckbichler.

He was co-owner of the Black & White Express Co. for 40 years until his retirement in April 1996.

Chip was a member of St. Christopher at the Lake Roman Catholic Church in Prospect and the American Legion.

He had raised and raced pigeons for many years and had been a former active member of the Butler County Racing Pigeons Club. He had also been an avid fisherman, enjoyed bowling and was a member of the 60 Plus Bowling League.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps.

Surviving are his wife, Betty Ann Cobb Birckbichler, who he married Jan. 10, 1946; five sons, Joseph (Patricia) and Phillip (Barbara) Birckbichler, both of Butler, Michael (Barbara) Birckbichler of Collegeville, Stephen (Donna) Birckbichler of Chicora and Jeffrey (Patricia) Birckbichler of Butler; a daughter, Barbara (James) Ippolito of Charleston, Ill.; a sister, Geraldine Green of Florida; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was from a family of 13 children and was preceded in death by 11 brothers and sisters and by an infant granddaughter.

<B>Birckbichler </B>—<B> </B>Friends of Wendel A. "Chip" Birckbichler, who died Saturday, May 3, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Christopher at the Lake Roman Catholic Church, 229 N. Franklin St., Prospect. The Rev. Matthew Tosello will officiate. Burial will follow at the Butler County Memorial Park Cemetery.Graveside military honors will be accorded by VFW Post 249 and American Legion Post 778.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.