Jesse Frederick Van Wickel Jr.

VAN WICKEL, Jr., JESSE FREDERICK Jess, our much loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, born February 15, 1920 in Shanghai, China, died in Wenatchee, WA, April 1, 2006 after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Jess was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Jean, in 2001. He is survived by his three children, Sue Whelan of Monrovia, CA, Bobbi Hotchkiss (Wally) of Leavenworth, WA and Jesse F. Van Wickel III, of Santee, CA. Jess also leaves six grandchildren: Erik Hotchkiss (Hilary), Jean Birkle (Dan), Michael Whelan (Kaysi), Brandi Jacobson (Zack), Shawn Norman, Jesse F. Van Wickel IV, and six great-grandchildren. Jess was a graduate of M.I.T. with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He worked for Lockheed Corporation for 32 years, retiring in 1975 at which time he and his wife Jean moved to Santee. After one year of retirement, he returned to work for Mercury Publications and PSA in San Diego until 1988, when he retired for good. After living for 25 years in Santee, they relocated to Washington State in July 2000. In his free time, Jess loved HO model railroading, fishing, boating and camping. He will be deeply missed by his family and long-time friends. A graveside inurnment service will be held at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, CA on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. An informal luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Jess's memory, to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's disease research. Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com