1931
Bruce
2018
Bruce "Skip" Bidelman
May 14, 1931 — September 9, 2018
Bruce (Skip) Bidelman was born to Charles Bidelman and Ignota (Notie) Boggs in 1931, in Indiana. He contracted polio as a young boy and recovered fully, though for much of his childhood he couldn't run.
After graduating from Marshall High School, he attended Michigan State University for 1-1/2 years, and married Eleanore Kipp in 1951. He joined the Air Force and served during the Korean War. Though he hoped to fly, his vision wasn't as good as required, and he was assigned to the Security Department. He and Eleanore spent his military service in San Antonio, Texas. He refused to divulge any facts about the work he did in the Air Force, and his family was never sure if he was serious about the secretive nature of his time in the service. He was a Man of Mystery.
Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, and earned his degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Moving back to Marshall, he and Eleanore bought a house and raised their children there. He worked at Ronan and Kunzl, later joining his father to form Bidelman Construction. They built and remodeled homes for many years, welcoming Skip's son Chuck into the business, and later his grandson Brian.
During his life in Marshall, Skip served the community in many ways. He was on the City Commission for six years, worked as a building inspector, and he and Eleanore delivered Meals on Wheels after he retired. He built Marshall's Postal Museum, the Tennis Building at the high school, and worked on the Wilder Creek project. He helped build Kid's Kingdom and a gazebo at the Fairgrounds.
They moved to a custom built (by him!) home in the country, and fulfilled many dreams there. He raised cattle, maintained a large vegetable garden, and made many creations in his woodworking shop. He often donated his work. He sent 100 wood trucks to children in Afghanistan. He supplied pieces yearly for auction for A Night at the Louvre, and building many unique items upon request for loved ones and friends.
In their younger days, Skip and Eleanore played Pedro, square danced, and attended many local plays and musical performances. Skip loved music of the 40s and 50s, and always had it playing as he worked in his shop. Vera Lynn was one of his favorite singers.
He was a longtime member of the Lions Club, and every year could be seen selling white canes to the public. He won too many awards to list during his time as a Lion. As a veteran, he attended every patriotic parade, was a member of the Color Guard and the American Legion. He was the Grand Marshal of the Christmas Parade and Veteran of the Year.
Skip was friendly and outgoing, and always willing to pitch in and help anyone who needed it. His sense of humor was huge, and he reveled in telling jokes to make the listener groan, especially his wife and daughter. When his children were young, he was well known around the Hughes Street neighborhood as The Fun Dad. He took kids on motorcycle rides, played corkball and basketball in his driveway, and was seen as a great big grown-up kid that everyone loved to play with. He loved reading and was a regular patron of the Marshall District Library.
Survived by Eleanore, his wife of 67 years, and his sister Sue Brownell. Son Charles (Terri) Bidelman, daughter Kim (Tim) Caron, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his grandson, Chris Thurow.
A memorial gathering will take place on Friday September 14, 2018 from 4-7pm at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Service 723 US 27 North. A private interment will take place at a later date at Oakridge Cemetery. Memorial Contributions are requested to Marshall District Library or to the Marshall Lions Club. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Service. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guest book at www.kempffuneralhome.com
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
After graduating from Marshall High School, he attended Michigan State University for 1-1/2 years, and married Eleanore Kipp in 1951. He joined the Air Force and served during the Korean War. Though he hoped to fly, his vision wasn't as good as required, and he was assigned to the Security Department. He and Eleanore spent his military service in San Antonio, Texas. He refused to divulge any facts about the work he did in the Air Force, and his family was never sure if he was serious about the secretive nature of his time in the service. He was a Man of Mystery.
Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, and earned his degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Moving back to Marshall, he and Eleanore bought a house and raised their children there. He worked at Ronan and Kunzl, later joining his father to form Bidelman Construction. They built and remodeled homes for many years, welcoming Skip's son Chuck into the business, and later his grandson Brian.
During his life in Marshall, Skip served the community in many ways. He was on the City Commission for six years, worked as a building inspector, and he and Eleanore delivered Meals on Wheels after he retired. He built Marshall's Postal Museum, the Tennis Building at the high school, and worked on the Wilder Creek project. He helped build Kid's Kingdom and a gazebo at the Fairgrounds.
They moved to a custom built (by him!) home in the country, and fulfilled many dreams there. He raised cattle, maintained a large vegetable garden, and made many creations in his woodworking shop. He often donated his work. He sent 100 wood trucks to children in Afghanistan. He supplied pieces yearly for auction for A Night at the Louvre, and building many unique items upon request for loved ones and friends.
In their younger days, Skip and Eleanore played Pedro, square danced, and attended many local plays and musical performances. Skip loved music of the 40s and 50s, and always had it playing as he worked in his shop. Vera Lynn was one of his favorite singers.
He was a longtime member of the Lions Club, and every year could be seen selling white canes to the public. He won too many awards to list during his time as a Lion. As a veteran, he attended every patriotic parade, was a member of the Color Guard and the American Legion. He was the Grand Marshal of the Christmas Parade and Veteran of the Year.
Skip was friendly and outgoing, and always willing to pitch in and help anyone who needed it. His sense of humor was huge, and he reveled in telling jokes to make the listener groan, especially his wife and daughter. When his children were young, he was well known around the Hughes Street neighborhood as The Fun Dad. He took kids on motorcycle rides, played corkball and basketball in his driveway, and was seen as a great big grown-up kid that everyone loved to play with. He loved reading and was a regular patron of the Marshall District Library.
Survived by Eleanore, his wife of 67 years, and his sister Sue Brownell. Son Charles (Terri) Bidelman, daughter Kim (Tim) Caron, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his grandson, Chris Thurow.
A memorial gathering will take place on Friday September 14, 2018 from 4-7pm at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Service 723 US 27 North. A private interment will take place at a later date at Oakridge Cemetery. Memorial Contributions are requested to Marshall District Library or to the Marshall Lions Club. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Service. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guest book at www.kempffuneralhome.com
Memorial Gathering
SEP 14. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EDT)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
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