August 8, 1933 – November 8, 2021
Claude Ernest Mikels, 88, of Bedford, passed away at 6:46 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021, at I.U.
Health Bedford Hospital.
Born August 8, 1933, in Jackson Co., he was the son of Stacey and Tenia Alice (Hunicutt) Mikels. He married Thelma L. Kirkman on September 16, 1967, in Lawrenceville, IL and she preceded him in death. He married Violet Carol (Sears) Clark on October 21, 2006, and she survives. Claude worked on the highway and for Sexton-Wilbert Corp. and always enjoyed his work. He enjoyed getting together with family, playing music, and singing with his sister, Minnie, as part of the Hobbieville Quartet. He had a good sense of humor and loved joking with people wherever he went.
Claude was one of a very large family of children, most of whom have passed. Those who preceded him in death
include brothers, Joseph H., Melvin S., Clarence A., and Clyde E. Mikels; sisters, Alice M. Hilderbrand, Lottie M. Hays, Clara M. Hall, Margaret J. Kent, and Bonnie R. Mikels; step-children, Eugene and Laverne Meadows, Judy Sullivan, and Ginny Arthur.
He is survived by one sister, Minnie Hillenburg Brown, of Bloomington; her children, Becky and husband, Jerry Pate,
and Steve Hillenburg and wife, Leatha; several other nieces and nephews; step-son, Jerry Clark, of Camby, IN;
step-daughter, Kim Maners, of Bedford; step-son, Jerry Meadows.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 12th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter
Mortuary with Bucky Charles and Mike Eads officiating. Burial will follow in the Byers-Rainbolt Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 11th at the Day & Carter Mortuary.
Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.
