Ethel Bertha Mikel

Ethel Bertha Mikel, 98, of Baroda passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085, with grandsons Pastor Jeffrey Hendrix and Pastor Nathanael Brenner officiating. Friends may meet with the family on Wednesday from 10-11 AM at the church. Burial will be in Lincoln Township Cemetery, Stevensville. Memorial contributions may be given to Grace Lutheran Church or Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com.

Ethel was born on October 28, 1926 in Stevensville the daughter of the late Edward and Lena (Pallas) Sill. On November 26, 1952 she married Joseph Mikel and he preceded her in death on February 17, 2014. At age 17, her first job was at Murphy’s Dime Store in St. Joseph. At 18, she went to work at Industrial Rubber. She helped on the farm with Joe until son, Jim, was old enough to help. After raising their three children, she returned to work having part time jobs at Canteen Corp. and Purple Onion Restaurant. Ethel was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. She loved to cook, sew, garden, and spend time with family. She and Joe were members of the St. Joe Kickers Club where they both enjoyed dancing.

She leaves behind two daughters: Janice (Kirk) Wutzke and Jacalyn (James) Hendrix; daughter-in-law, Rena Mikel; grandchildren: Jeffrey (Carla) Hendrix and Jennifer (Nathanael) Brenner; nine great grandchildren: Koren, Isaiah, Corinthia, Augustine and Gerhardt Hendrix, and Lyvia, Mathias, Kenzie and Lucas Brenner; extended family: Jamie and Tamara Hansen and four children; David and Kamie Luster and two children; nieces and nephews.

Ethel was also preceded in death by her son, James; sisters and brothers-in-law: Evelyn (Stephen) Merrill and Dorothy (Levi) Soulliere.

Arrangements are entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman.