Daniel S. Mikesell

Daniel Stewart Mikesell of Perrysburg, Ohio departed this life on Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 and embarked on what he called “my greatest adventure yet”. Dan was an accomplished outdoorsman, who loved to hunt and fly fish from the north woods in Michigan, to Montana and Alaska. Whether he was chasing tarpon and bonefish in the Florida Keys, hunting grouse, or taking down a charging boar with a bow, Dan said he always felt closest to God when communing with nature. Two of his favorite places on earth were the Slagle Trout Club and the Pere Marquette River, both in northern Michigan, where he introduced his three sons and seven grandchildren to the wonderful outdoors. His talents were as numerous as they were deep and he was determined to be the very best at whatever he undertook. Over the course of his life, Dan became an award winning wood carver, Michigan DNR woodcock bander, and won many competitions in everything from BASS fishing tournaments to skeet shooting and sporting clays. Dan played the acoustic guitar and had a wonderful singing voice. He also wrote beautiful poetry, which would warm the heart. He raised and trained his three beloved Brittany Spaniels who went on to become national field champions. One of his proudest accomplishments was earning his Eagle Scout Award, where he learned many valuable life and outdoor survival skills. He was an active member of the Slagle Trout Club, and a member and past Commodore at the Catawba Island Club (CIC). He attended Zoar Lutheran Church where he professed his faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dan frequently said “the best decision I ever made” was when he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Charlotte Matecki (“Joanie Babe”) on September 1st, 1962. Joanie was the angel that saved him and gave him a close, loving family. He worked extremely hard and built a very successful career in the insurance and financial industry, culminating with the founding of Mikesell Financial Group. Over the years, Dan and Joan pursued many interests and hobbies including family camping every weekend, boating on the Great Lakes, travelling throughout the U.S. and abroad. Dan and Joan ultimately found their small “slice of heaven” at Beacon Reef in Islamorada of the Florida Keys, where they spent the colder months in their tropical paradise. Dan was diagnosed at age 50 with Alpha 1, a rare genetic form of emphysema. He was a fighter, was an inspiration to many, and was truly an amazing man. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Joan, three sons Greg (Kathleen) of Sylvania, Todd (Melissa) of Centerville, and Matt (Nichole) of Toledo, seven grandchildren – Alex, Kyle, Jack, Ella, J.D., Kylie and Kaleb, special cousin Diane Hires, his brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Delores Matecki, Margie and Al Fanaff , and Larry and Mary Matecki. He was preceded in death by his mother Jane Stewart Mikesell, father William (Mike) Mikesell, brother H. James Mikesell, uncle Dr. William Stewart, who was an incredible role model for him, and his in-laws Ginny and Red Matecki, His family would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Ronald Wainz and his staff for their caring and kindness, and his Case Manager, Susan Scott who consistently went above and beyond. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made in Dan’s honor to Zoar Lutheran Church or the Ronald McDonald House in Toledo, Ohio. All friends and family are welcome for visitation on Monday, December 14th from 3:00-8:00 pm at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E South Boundary St in Perrysburg (419-874-3133). A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, December 15th at 11:00am at Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 E Indiana Ave. in Perrysburg, Pastor Timothy P. Philabaum officiating. Private burial will be held at Fort Meigs Cemetery.