Kevin Bickford

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Kevin Lee Bickford, age 59 of Galena, passed away at his home on Saturday, December 9, 2023.

Kevin was born in Sacramento, CA on May 7, 1964 to parents Wilford Eugene Bickford and Altamae (Glasgow) Bickford. He lived in Quincy, IL until the age of 13 when he and his family moved to the Joplin, MO area. He graduated from Diamond High School with the Class of 1982. 

He began working as an auto mechanic, and later became a skilled machinist working at several Southwest Missouri machine shops including Cardinal Scale in Webb City, MO and Thermal Engineering in Joplin where he had been employed for the past two years. He was a "jack of all trades" and was very skilled at working with his hands. 

He enjoyed gardening and carpentry, as well as time outdoors spent fishing, camping, and golfing. He was caring, good-hearted, a loving father, brother, and grandfather, and a loyal friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Wilford and Altamae Bickford.

Survivors include one son, Evan Bickford (Porsche) of Joplin, MO; one daughter, Paige Neigg (Bobby) of Stella, MO; two brothers, Greg Postle (Julie) of The Villages, FL, and Tim Postle (Kathy) of Baxter Springs, KS; eight grandchildren; Carter Bickford, Ava Bickford, Collin Bickford, Britton Neigg, Braxton Neigg, Braiden Neigg, Hailey Neigg, and Kylee Neigg, and his stepmother, Sally Bickford.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena. Following the visitation, he will be taken for cremation and later buried in a private ceremony at Lone Elm Cemetery, rural Columbus, KS. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.