Gleda M. Mikesell

Gleda M. Mikesell, 95, formerly of Liberty, died Tuesday morning, September 10, 2013, at Liberty Nursing Center of Oxford in Ohio. Gleda was born in Union County August 23, 1918, to Clement and Ruth A. Smith Michael. She began her 15 year employment with General Telephone as an operator in Liberty and later as the assistant chief operator in Ft Wayne. In 1968, she retired as the chief operator based in Cambridge City. Gleda was a 49 year member of the Kappa Delta Phi National Sorority as a member of its Gamma Pi Chapter in Lakeland, Florida and a 25 year member of the Gamma Zeta Chapter in Richmond, Indiana. Gleda was a member of the Liberty Church of Christ and enjoyed spending her time sewing. Gleda is survived by her three children and their spouses: Evelyn Kay Jackson and Stonewall of Connersville, E.J. Mikesell of Mooringsport, Louisiana; James E. Mikesell and Velvet of Belleview, Florida; nine grandchildren, including Lisa Nichols of Brookville; twenty great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Gleda was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest L Mikesell, who died January 7, 1998; a brother: Charles Eugene Michael; and a sister: Mildred Himelick. Funeral services will be conducted at 12 noon Monday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Fosdick Chapel, Liberty, with Pastor Douglas Kaler of the Connersville Baptist Temple officiating. Interment will follow in Earlham Cemetery in Richmond. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of service. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.