Joan Mikesell

Joan E. "Jo" Mikesell, 93, of Monticello, formerly of Adams Township near Delphi, passed away at 2:53 pm, Sunday, January 8, 2017 at White Oak Health Campus.She was born on April 12, 1923 in Galesburg, IL to the late Harry S. and Hazel (Jenkins) Douglass. On November 27, 1941 she married Paul C. Mikesell at the family home in Adams Township. He preceded her in death March 19, 2009.She was a 1940 graduate of Monticello High School and was primarily a Homemaker. After graduating high school, she worked as a secretary for Siferd and Kassabaum Attorneys at Law in Monticello. She then went to work for Adams Township School as a cook for eight years. She spent the next several years raising her children and being a homemaker. Once Jim and Sue were raised she went to work for White County REMC and worked an additional eight years.Joan was a member of Lockport Church and was active with the women's fellowship at the church. She and Paul were adventurous and volunteered for many years assisting missionaries on Indian reservations and in orphanages. Paul would help with construction and electrical work and Jo would cook and help with child care. She enjoyed tending her flower and vegetable gardens and probably raised enough vegetables to feed the whole county. She also enjoyed traveling. She loved animals but especially favored horses and dogs and was well known throughout the community for rescuing dogs. Surviving are her children, Jim L. (wife, Donna) Mikesell of Delphi, Sue A. (husband, Russ) McDonald of Nappanee; granddaughters, Nikki Jo Mowrer, Marci Jo Mikesell, Kim E. Garbison; great-grandsons, Nicholas and Cole Garbison; and nieces, Carol Postel, Jan Heath, and Marlene Martin.She was also preceded in death by a brother, Monte J. Douglass; sister, Lois L. Koontz; and nephew, Doug Koontz.Visitation will be on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 11 am until the time of services at 2 pm celebrating Joan's life at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello with Pastors Ken Smith and Nord Zootman officiating.Joan will be laid to rest beside her beloved Paul in Hickory Grove Cemetery.Memorial contributions are suggested and encouraged to Riley Children's Hospital or to the ASPCA with envelopes available at the funeral home.Messages of condolence may be extended at www.springerfuneralhome.com