George Richard MIKESH

MIKESH, PANNHOFF, ZASPEL, GOLL, JOHNSON, CAMPBELL, HAHN, DWYER, AKIN, POWELL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/29/2006 at 22:33:02

George Richard Mikesh died on Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at Mercy Hospital in Mason City. Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 9, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Rev. Michael Druhl officiating. Burial with military honors was in the Amsterdam Cemetery east of Goodell. Music was provided by Lyn Courson, organist and Warren Torkelson, vocalist. Honorary bearers were, Merlin "Mort" Stockseth, Rob Courson, Art Melchow, Albert Lopez, Dave Nelson, Rita Mae Rossman, and Refine Rossman. Casket bearers were, Doug Pals, Darvin Peters, Ron Even, Paul Dahlman, Dave Fuls, James Reidenour, and Steve Dahlman.

George was born on May 20, 1924 at Klemme, the son of Charles and Kathlyn (Pannhoff) Mikesh. The family moved to Forest City and then Belmond where he finished his last two years of high school. He was drafted into the United States Army during World War II and served with the 63rd Division, 254 Infantry Regiment, attached to the 3rd Army. He served as a machine gunner in France and Germany. He received the following military medals: Bronze Star with "V" Device, First Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign with bronze service stars for the Rhineland and Central European Campaigns, World War II Victory, Distinguished Unit Emblem, Army of Occupation with Germany Clasp, Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, and French Croix de Guerre with Palm for Colmar and Battle of the Bulge. Following the end of the war he was sent to Berlin to help set up the Office of Military Government. He served as honor guard and received training in military intelligence. In 1947 he was discharged from the Army. He went into civil service as Deputy Chief Warden at Spandau Prison in Berlin. He returned home after his father's death in 1949. George married Emily Goll in 1955. He farmed near Hickory Grove northwest of Belmond. Following his retirement in 1989, he enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, auctions, cooking, nature watching, polka music, photography, reading and a good debate.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Grace Zaspel. Survivors include his wife; children, Sheila Johnson of California, Kim Campbell of Florida, George Mikesh, Jr, (Sarai) of Georgia, Michael Mikesh of Goodell and Suzanne Mikesh of Belmond; sisters, Colona Hahn of Belmond, Ruby Dwyer of Harper's Ferry, Gladys (Pete) Pals of Belmond and Constance Roley of Minnesota; brother, Charles (Wanda) Mikesh of Belmond; and grandchildren, Lesley, Rebecca, and Kandiss Campbell, James and Joseph Mikesh, Lynne and Christopher Akin, Tracy Mikesh, Amber (Mikesh) Powell, Kathlyn and Rachal.

January 13, 2005
©Belmond Independent 2005