Marion Lois Barnickel, 94, of West Brooklyn, passed away on February 17, 2024, surrounded by her family, at Allure of Mendota.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Michael Slutz officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of services.


She was born at her family's sesquicentennial farm in Westfield Township, Bureau County to Walter and Marie (Billhorn) Meisel on January 16, 1930.

Marion met her husband Earl Barnickel while roller skating in Mendota and they were married on August 30, 1947, in Ohio, Illinois. She proudly farmed with her husband and children and completed her 80th harvest in 2023. She was a long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Compton, active as an
usher and funeral dinner committee chairperson. For many years Marion volunteered in the community assisting the Tri-County Fair Baking Department, serving as an election judge, and helping at the N.I.C.E. Food Pantry. She was an incredible generational historian of the local area, meticulous record keeper, and an avid
reader. She loved dancing, gardening/canning, watching polkas, and performing in a two-person band with her husband in their early years of marriage. One of her crowning musical moments was when she played the Hawaiian guitar at Soldier Field in 1939.

Marion is survived by her 5 children: Linda (Tim) Hahn of Seatonville; Earl (Brenda) Barnickel of Mendota; Gale (Christina) Barnickel of Compton; Mary (Michael) Labriola of West Brooklyn; and Bette (Bruce) Peterson of Carmel, IN. Seven grandchildren: William (Cassie) Barnickel of Washington, IL; Brian Barnickel of
Mendota; Walter Barnickel of Compton; Marie (Luke Neumann) Barnickel of Oconomowoc, WI; stepgranddaughter Jamie Labriola of San Diego, CA; Danielle Peterson of Carmel, IN; Michelle (Matt) Rupright of Fort Wayne, IN; and David (Katie) Peterson of Bargersville, IN; a great-granddaughter Brielle Barnickel,
Washington, IL.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband (August 24, 2023), their beloved first child, Donald Barnickel (January 21, 1957) and her sister Marjorie Faber (October 7, 2015).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Compton Volunteer Fire Department or the Mendota Moose Lodge.