Harold B. MICKAEL CMSgt, USAF, Ret.

MICHAEL, WHITE, COOPER, MCMAHON, OBRIEN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/5/2009 at 19:50:39

OBITUARY - HAROLD B. MICKAEL CMSgt, USAF, Ret.

On December 30, 1928, Harold Barton MICKAEL was born to Charles & Pearl (WHITE) MICKAEL at Mount Ayr, Iowa. He was welcomed home by his older brother Kenneth.

When Harold was 2 years old, his father died and Pearl was left to raise the two boys on her own. Harold graduated high school from Kellerton, Iowa in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces in 1946 and spent the next 22 years serving his country. Harold was united in marriage to Beverly C. COOPER on July 17, 1949 in Blanchard, Iowa. Harold began in the U.S. Army and after 15 jumps; he earned his wings as a paratrooper. He served in military occupation in Korea and Japan. Harold re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving another tour of duty in Japan. From 1958 to 1965, he served at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. It was an honor for him to be a part of the presidential caravan when President John F. KENNEDY came to the Academy for graduation ceremonies. In 1967, he began his last tour of duty overseas in Vietnam. Harold retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1968. They moved to Niceville, Florida where Harold would be a letter carrier for the next 22 years in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Harold retired from the postal department in September of 1990. Harold and Beverly moved back to Mount Ayr in 2003 to be close to family.

Harold passed away at his home in Mount Ayr on October 10, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was preceded in death by his father and his mother.

Survivors include his wife Beverly MICKAEL of Mount Ayr; brother Kenneth MICKAEL & wife Lucille of Kellerton; brothers-in-law Harold COOPER & wife Phyllis of Kellerton and Jerry COOPER & wife Judy of Tingley; sisters-in-law Imogene McMAHON of Tampa, Florida and Sherry Ann O'BRIEN & husband Tom of Mount Ayr; nieces, nephews and friends.

Harold’s body was cremated and no services are planned at this time.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009