Sept. 8, 1923 - Jan. 14, 2013
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Rev. Donald Lamar Mikel, 89, who resided in Orlando with his daughter, Sarah, and her husband, John, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 14, 2013.
The Rev. Mikel was born in Nappanee, Ind., on Sept. 8, 1923, to Merle and Mary Mikel.
He enrolled in Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bible College, then transferred to Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind., to become part of the first graduating class of the school.
As a minister of Missionary Church, he served churches in West Union, Ind., West Valley, Wash., Twin Falls, Idaho, and Denair, Calif., and pioneered the family counseling ministry at Ventura Missionary Church in California. The Rev. Mikel's ministry was characterized by an intense evangelistic zeal, captivating preaching and a listening heart that often helped individuals come to grips with the spiritual issues at the heart of the problems people brought to him.
Don and his wife, Trudy, retired in Hailey, Idaho, where they made many new friends and were very helpful in their son's business. When he could no longer care for himself, he moved home to Nappanee to live with Dave and Karen Berger. The last move before heaven was with John and Sarah Hedegaard in their home in Orlando.
He is survived by his son, Russell; daughters Karen Berger and Sarah Hedegaard; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
His loving wife, Trudy, and their youngest son, Steve, preceded him to heaven.
A memorial service will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at Thompson, Lengacher and Yoder Funeral Home, 950 N. Main St., Nappanee.