Mikels, Richard Mathias (1930 - 2020)

MIKELS, GARRISON FERRY, CHICKERING, KRAMER, HICKS, FUHS, KLEIN, SLAUGHTER, RAU

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 11/24/2020 at 16:21:08

Name of deceased: Richard Mathias Mikels

Aged: 90 yrs, 8 mo, 14 days

Residence: Elm Crest Senior Living, Harlan, Shelby County, IA (since March 2020)

Born: March 2, 1930; Portsmouth, Shelby County, IA

Died: Nov. 16, 2020; Elm Crest Senior Living, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Private Family Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020; St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima,
Portsmouth, IA; burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Portsmouth, IA

Survived by: Children, Lyle Mikels of Harlan, IA, Lynn (spouse, Lori) Mikels of Newbury Park, CA, Jayne (spouse, Dan) Garrison of Harlan, IA, Cheryl (spouse, Tom) Ferry of Harlan, IA, and Sue (spouse, Bret) Chickering of Harlan, IA; grandchildren, Daniel Ferry, Mathew Ferry, Dylan Garrison, Rhiana Chickering, Lynsey Mikels and Timothy Mikels; great-grandchildren, Seth and Taylin Ferry, Kristofer Ferry, Devin and Regan Kramer; sister, Dolores Hicks of Manhatten Beach, CA; sisters-in-law, Mae Mikels of Woodbine, IA, and Phyllis Mikels of Portsmouth, IA; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Matt and Genevieve (nee Fuhs) Mikels; wife, Jeanette (deceased 2010); grandson, Christopher Ferry; siblings, Veronica Klein, Ed Mikels, Raymond Mikels, Al Mikels, Eva Slaughter, and Delmar Mikels

Education: Attended the Hemlock (IA) one-room country school where his oldest sister was his kindergarten teacher; hewent on and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Portsmouth, IA, but quit school after Grade 8 to help on the farm with his dad and brothers

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Portsmouth, IA; he remained a lifelong active member

Military service: Drafted in 1951 into the U. S. Army during the Korean War and was chosen to join the Army Corp of Engineers then stationed in France. While there he was able to see parts of Paris, London and Rome. In London, he also attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, often joking that she waved to him. He was honorably discharged in 1953.

Marriage: Jeannette Rau; Dec. 30, 1953; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Portsmouth, IA

Employment: Farmer; retired in 2010

Hobbies/Interests: Enjoyed traveling with Jeannette, keeping in touch with “army buddies” over the years; enjoyed music and visiting people; was an active member of Portsmouth (IA) American Legion 547 for over 65 years, marching and carrying the flag, with honor, for as long as he was able.

Sources: harlanonline.com; pauleyjones.com