Dr. Everett Bickers Jr.

Dr. Everett Bickers, Jr. died on July 29 in Greenville at the age of 79. He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett, Sr., and Emma, and his wife of 46 years, Dorothy. Survived by two brothers, Doug and Dan, an uncle and two aunts, and children, Dr. Rex Bickers (Marcia), Dr. Mark Bickers (Bobbi), Julie Knotts (Tony), all of Floyds Knobs and John Bickers (Joanne), of Morristown, New Jersey, grandchildren Lindsey, Whitney, Kelsey, Phil, Heather, Jonathan, Mark, JB, Elizabeth and Gunther as well as seven great-grandchildren, and friend and companion, Patty Nelson of Greenville.

Dr. Bickers was a native of Carroll County and Henry County, Kentucky before moving to Floyd County in 1957. He was a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine and established a practice in Floyds Knobs in 1961, becoming a cornerstone of the medical community for rural Floyd County, spanning nearly forty years. He served as president of the medical staff at Floyd Memorial Hospital and as delegate for the state of Indiana to the American Medical Association. He served as Floyd County health officer from 1973 to 2002.

He fostered community and economic development in Floyd County and served as president of the New Albany Chamber of Commerce in 1971. He championed programs for youth through the Floyd County 4-H, athletics and academics at Floyd Central High School. Together with Mrs. Bickers, he provided lifelong support to public education, serving on the NAFC Buildings Board for decades and establishing the Dorothy Bickers Memorial Scholarship Fund at Indiana University Southeast in 1999. He was awarded the IUS Chancellor's Medallion in 2003.

He was a lifelong friend and supporter of the Old Capitol Saddle Club in Corydon and he was legendary for riding and setting up camp in Harrison County National Forest as part of the club's annual four-day 100 mile trail ride. He leaves a legacy of countless friends and former patients who shared with him, his love for horse riding and the outdoors, bird dogs and hunting for both quail and big game, in America and around the world.

His family and friends wish to express their gratitude to Floyd Memorial Hospital and to Hosparus Southern Indiana for the selfless care they helped to provide.

Reception of family and friends will be Friday, August 2 at Kraft Funeral Service on Charlestown Road in New Albany, from 2 to 8 pm, and for two hours before the funeral, also at Kraft, Saturday, August 3 at 12:00 noon. Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Kraft Funeral Service, and donations to the Floyd Memorial Foundation or to the Dorothy Bickers Memorial Scholarship Fund at IU Southeast will be gratefully appreciated.