Mickle, G. Gaylord

G. Gaylord Mickle, 84, of Rochester, died peacefully in his home early Wednesday morning from complications of cancer. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. in the Rochester United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Norman Anderson officiating. Burial will take place in the spring.

Gaylord, son of Harold and Donna Phelps Mickle, was born on Jan. 19, 1926, in Roseville, Ill. He was a graduate of Stronghurst High School and Western Illinois University in Macomb. He entered the United States Navy, where he served his country for three years during World War II. On Sept. 19, 1945, he was united in marriage to Lorene E. Hainline in Macomb, Ill. They were blessed with two children, Gary and Cindy. Gaylord was involved in the auto business most of his life, working for a parts distributor, owner of a NAPA Auto parts store in Fort Madison and also served as the past president of the Iowa Automotive Wholesalers Association. He worked for Cedar County for 10 years with the Environmental and Zoning Office. Gaylord was a member of the Rochester United Methodist Church, past president of the Fort Madison Rotary, where he was named as a Paul Harris Fellow, and was an avid hunter who loved his family.

 He is survived by his wife, Lorene; his daughter, Cindy (Gary) Stuhr of Tipton; son, Gary (Marcia) of Mahomet, Ill.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Norma Pilkington of Normal, Illi.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister; and grandson, Bryan. 

A memorial has been established in his memory to the Rochester United Methodist Church and the American Cancer Society. 

Online condolences may be shared with his family at