Robert E. Hickel, 81, went to be with our Lord, Saturday, May 21, 2011 at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington, Kansas. He was born February 5, 1930 at rural Barton County, Kansas, the son of Robert Anthony and Emma (Zecha) Hickel. He married Betty J. Lawrence May 28, 1951 at Hoisington. A lifetime Claflin resident, Mr. Hickel was a retired farmer and stockman and oil producer. Mr. Hickel was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1500, Farm Bureau, Claflin Co-op board, and past president of the Wheat Growers Association. He sang in the church choir for many years. Survivors include his wife, Betty J. Hickel, of the home; six sons: Steve Hickel and wife Dorian, Claflin; Rick Hickel and wife Dawnya, Claflin; Doug Hickel and wife Karen, Claflin; Curtis Hickel, Great Bend; David Hickel and wife Cheryl, Claflin; and Kyle Hickel, Claflin; three daughters: Janell Hubbard and husband Doug, Claflin; June Halliwill and husband Jeff, Beaumont, California; and Janine Dutton and husband Kirby, El Dorado, Kansas; four sisters: Gertrude Hickel, Wichita, Kansas; Viola McCafferty, Wichita; Patty Keenan, Great Bend; and Jeanette Parnall, Wisconsin; one brother, Vernon Hickel, Anchorage, Alaska; twenty-four grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter J. Hickel and Elmer Hickel; and two sisters, Katherine Stalker and Maxine Hickel. Vigil service will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Father Charles Mazouch will be celebrant. Burial will be in Claflin Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home and after 6:00 p.m. at the church, Tuesday, May 24, 2011; and 9:00 a.m. to service time Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Claflin Ambulance Service or American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home.