Gerald Mikesell

Born on Feb. 13, 1933 to Samuel Alfred and Virginia Leone Johnson Mikesell on the family farm in Porterville, Utah.  He died at home in Porterville of heart failure on July 25, 2016.

Gerald married Georgia Marlene Price on Nov. 18, 1953 in Morgan, Ut. On June 2, 1962 their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

He attended school in Morgan; served in the Army; worked for Devil’s Slide Cement Company for 42 ½ years as welder and retired in 1994. He sheared sheep, shod horses, farmed and was a water witcher (people from all over Utah contact him to find their well water) since the age of 18.

Gerald and Georgia purchased the family property and was able to take care of his parents and the farm he grew up on.  He loved singing and playing his guitar.  He played at many family and friends activities.  He especially loved Christmas time in which he was Santa’s helper and brought joy to many children young and old. Gerald loved the outdoors, camping, fishing and hunting deer on the family property.  Hunting season gave him his nickname the “rifleman”. He loved sitting on the lawn visiting and enjoying the breeze coming out of Hardscrabble Canyon. His family was the joy of his life and enjoyed any opportunity to have them with him.  He especially enjoyed his grandchildren, g-grandchildren and g-g-grandchildren. Later he enjoyed his Monday morning golfing times and buddies.

He served in the LDS church and held many calling. He was a scout leader and had the first Eagle Scout in Porterville, President of the YMMIA; a faithful home teacher and secretary to the High Priest group.

He and Georgia served an LDS mission at Martin’s Cove, Wyoming for two consecutive summers from 1998-1999. The enjoyment of his golden years was spent serving in the Ogden LDS Temple for 5 ½ years. They also served a twenty-month mission as Morgan Stake Missionaries.  He was a good father, husband and friend to many, even if he didn’t know you.

Gerald is survived by his wife, three children: Rosemary (Glenn) Eberle, Pleasant View; G. Eugene (Julie), West Haven; and Tom (Ron), Tigard, OR; Seven grandchildren: Tara, Christy, Heather(deceased), Adam, and Jason, Chance and Dakota; 19 great-grandchildren and 15 great great-grandchildren. Also his brother Scott (Danice) Mikesell, Nibley, UT; his sister Peggy (John-deceased) Grossnickle, Layton, UT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Darrell and Wendell; sisters: LaVell and Carlene; and granddaughter, Heather Jacobson.

Many thanks to the caring staff of the Intermountain Hospice Team.

Funeral services will be held Friday July 29 at 11 a.m. at the Porterville LDS Church. Viewings will be Thursday July 28 from 6 to 8 at Walker Mortuary in Morgan and Friday at the church from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Interment will be at the South Morgan Cemetery.