All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Wanda Laverne (Pickens) Bickel

Wanda Laverne (Pickens) Bickel, age 98, of Grafton, WV died Sunday, October 2, 2022, at her home.

She was born on November 15, 1923, in Wildcat, WV, the second child of the late Leland and Lois Dorthia (Gould) Pickens. On May 14, 1944, she married Joyce Maynard “JM” Bickel, who preceded her in death on April 27, 2007.

She is survived by four children, Douglas Bickel of Grafton, WV, Jerald Bickel and wife, LeAnna of Elkins, WV; one daughter, Julia Robbins and husband Dr. Donald H. Robbins Jr. of Marlette, MI and Darrel Bickel of Grafton, WV; four grandchildren, James Bickel of Elkins, WV, Heather Wells and husband Travis of Pensacola, FL, Angela Stage and husband Chad of Mocksville, NC and Andrew Robbins of Marlette, MI; Four great-grandchildren, Logan Bickel of Elkins, Ella Stage of Mocksville, Brynnly Stage of Mocksville and Charlotte Wells of Pensacola; one brother, James Pickens of Fairmont, WV; one brother-in-law, Perry Bickel and wife Fran of Canton, Ohio and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and spouse, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Loy and William Pickens and three sisters, Oleta Swisher, Maxine Steel and Bertha Burnside and two grandsons, Steven Douglas Bickel and Donald H. Robbins III.

Mrs. Bickel was a Methodist by faith and Wanda was a true “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII when she traveled to Akron, Ohio to work in the military factory making parts for aircraft. After the war, Wanda worked as a schoolteacher in a one room country school before she switched to working in the Laboratory at the Hospital in Webster Springs. Mrs. Bickel had a long lifetime career as a Medical Technologist working at hospitals in Webster, Randolph, Upshur, Berkeley and Marion counties. 

At the age of 65, Wanda decided to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree and was named the “Student of the Year” at Fairmont State University. Wanda was a very creative and intelligent person who would tackle any sewing, upholstery or home-improvement project with enthusiasm.

She was truly a “Grand Lady” who was a very caring and loving person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Friends will be received Sunday, October 9, 2022, from 12 (noon) to 1:00 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home with Pastor David Jesse officiating. Burial will follow in the McCutchen Chapel Cemetery at Ireland, WV.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

WVWC Volleyball

Wesleyan volleyball team upset at home by Frostburg State in MEC play

Wesleyan fell in straight sets to Frostburg State, 23–25, 16–25, 25–27, dropping to 13–7 (5–3 MEC) despite strong performances from MacKenna Halfin and solid defense.

Football Bucs rally for late lead but ultimately fall to Lincoln, 35-32

Buckhannon-Upshur rallied to lead 32-28 on Dawson Tenney’s 28-yard TD but Lincoln answered late as AJ Bart’s touchdown pass to Colton Edwards sealed a 35-32 comeback victory.

November’s free Lunch ’N Learn to focus on small-business finance

A Lunch ’N Learn on small-business finance will be held Nov. 18, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. at UCDA’s Idea Center featuring speakers from SBDC, First MicroLoan of WV, and Be A Friend Tax Services.

Make a difference with dinner: Every Sam’s Pizza order on Nov. 1 helps fight pancreatic cancer

Sam’s Pizza will donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for every order on Nov. 1, 2025, designated Sam’s Pizza Day for PanCAN. The proclamation honors Bob Nolte, father of Upshur County Commission President Sam Nolte, and aims to raise awareness and funds.

WVWC, WVSOM continue partnership with Go D.O. Early Scholars Program

West Virginia Wesleyan College and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated their Go D.O. Early Scholars partnership as the program’s first WVWC graduates began medical school at WVSOM, offering guaranteed admission and no MCAT for qualifying students.

Football Bucs look to rebound against Lincoln Friday night

Buckhannon-Upshur seeks to bounce back from a 34-31 loss as they visit 3-4 Lincoln Friday, with Coach Sloan Baisden stressing recovery, expanded offensive support for QB Dawson Tenney and defensive focus on Lincoln QB A.J. Bart.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 9: So just who was the best football coach at B-U?

Sports columnist Duane Carpenter ranks Buckhannon-Upshur’s top five football coaches—topping Granville Zopp, Joe Michael, Jack Pack, Mike Michael and Eddie Vincent—then recaps weekly game picks, standings and reader contest results.

#1 Auto Sales to kick off year two of “Jam the Van!” a Christmas clothing and toy drive for local kids

#1 Auto Sales launches the second annual “Jam the Van” drive Oct. 20–Dec. 6, collecting new clothing, toys and diapers for the Salvation Army Angel Tree while inviting donors to decorate a van.

Soccer ‘Cats earn 2-2 draw with West Liberty

West Virginia Wesleyan rallied twice to earn a 2–2 draw with West Liberty at Culpepper Stadium, with Erik Rostoen scoring early and Aidan Clayton equalizing in the 74th minute.

Strong second half lifts Wesleyan women to 3-1 win over Glenville State

West Virginia Wesleyan’s women’s soccer team rallied with two second-half goals to beat Glenville State 3-1, outshooting the Pioneers 20-2 and moving to 6-6-2 overall and fourth in the MEC South.

Albert Ray Simmons

Albert Ray Simmons, 84, of Buckhannon, WV, a Vietnam veteran, former Ford and SDS Plumbing worker, husband of Judy, and member of Masonic Lodge #737, died October 20, 2025, after an extended illness; a celebration of life will be Nov. 15.

Arnold Wesley Sayre

Arnold Wesley Sayre, 91, of Buckhannon, WV, a retired WVWC electronics technician and lifelong amateur radio operator known as W8WVM, died October 22, 2025; he is survived by his wife, Doris Armstrong Sayre, and brother Ralph H. Sayre.