James "Mike" Wickman, 58, of Staples, died Nov 23, 2009, at Bethany Good Samaritan in Brainerd, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.

Mike was born on July 27, 1951, at the military hospital in Shirley, Massachusetts, to Paul David and Evelyn May (Dawkins) Wickman..  He was raised in many stateside and overseas military installations.. Mike married Wendy Ramsdell on November 30 1972, and had two children, Kelly and Tony.  They were happily married until Wendy's tragic death in 1994.  Mike later married MaryBeth Hughes, and they had three children, Timothy, Colleen, and Caroline.

Mike was a career soldier.  He honorably served over 20 years in the US Army, including a tour in Vietnam, retiring as a Staff Sergeant in the Military Police Corps.  After his retirement, Mike spent the next 16 years driving a semi-truck, first with Russ Davis in Wadena, and then with Con-Way Central Express (CCX), in Baxter and then in St. Cloud.

Mike enjoyed traveling, movies, and was an avid coin collector.  His quick wit and sense of humor provided many jokes and much laughter.

Mike was a member of the Staples Lions, the Motley Tri-County American Legion, the Staples VFW, and the Non-Commissioned Officers' Association of America.

Mike is survived by his wife MaryBeth, two sons, Tony (Caren), and Timothy, three daughters, Kelly (Travis), Colleen, and Caroline, and three grand-children, Morgan, Bailey, and Madison, his mother, Evelyn, one sister Patricia, and two brothers, Alfred and David.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul David, his brother Paul Robert, and an infant brother, Thomas Alan.

Mike very generously deeded his body to medical science..  Please join us for a celebration of Mike's life during his Memorial Service at the Staples Assembly of God Church, on Dec. 20, 2009, from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.