Makenna Mikesell Obituary

Makenna Danielle Mikesell, 29, Macy, passed away unexpectedly on Monday morning, June 16, 2025, with her newborn daughter, Hadley Makenna Mikesell, at Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester, Indiana.

Born December 19, 1995, in Peru, Indiana, she was the daughter of Traci (Burns) Brown and Kenneth Brown. On July 1, 2021, in Hatcher Pass, Alaska, she was married to Paul James Mikesell, and he survives.

Makenna graduated in 2014 from North Miami High School before heading to Manchester University where she earned her B.S. in Athletic Training. After graduation, she worked from 2018-2021 as the athletic trainer for Maconaquah High School. She then went to Kokomo High School in the same position working from 2021-2025, while simultaneously working as a dual-credit teacher through Manchester University for Kinesiology, Exercise Science, and Capstone at Kokomo Area Career Center.

She took her career very seriously and was always trying to learn new methods, teaching-styles, and a greater understanding of her profession. She loved taking care of family and friends, a trait that was evident in her classroom, home, and those that were recipients of creations from her kitchen. She loved cooking new recipes, trying new foods, and keeping up the family tradition of canning and preserving the summer harvest from the garden.

Makenna was always one to challenge normal stereotypes; she loved working out with the guys in the gym, most often outperforming those around her. Her hard and determined work ethic was evident in the gym, as well as around the house and on the farm. Her busy schedule often meant she was showing up to ballet or the next activity in her dirty softball pants, or sweaty-whatever sport uniform she was wearing. She loved dance and was a fourteen-year student of Ballet Arts, starting at age five. As a teenager, she loved spending time on her four-wheeler, racing and challenging her brother as they became “professional drivers” in both ATVs and lawnmowers, having raced in the Twelve Mile 500. She was also an active part of her youth group at Twelve Mile and Bethlehem United Methodist Churches, where she went on several mission trips.

Makenna had a big heart and expressed her love for others through her actions and the welcoming atmosphere in her classroom and home. In the kitchen, she was an artist and those who benefited from her bakery-quality gifts could not only feel but taste her love. She loved spending time with others, whether it was at work, in class, or at home. Her family meant the world to her, but also extended to her large collection of pets, including her beloved fur babies, Arti, Fraya, Karen, Charlie, Devi, and Jamie, and most of all, her beloved dog, Leo.

Survivors include her husband, Paul Mikesell, Macy; mother, Traci (Burns) Brown, Peru; father and step-mother, Kenny and Julie Brown, Florida; brother, Joshua Brown, Peru; grandparents, Charles “Mike” and Bonnie Burns, Twelve Mile; uncle, Charles “Michael” (Star) Burns, Denver; aunt, Shirley (Terry) Smiley, Mexico; mother and father-in law, Carolyn and Brian Mikesell, Macy; and brother-in-law, William Mikesell, Indianapolis. Also surviving are several great aunts and uncles, as well as cousins.

She was preceded in death by several grandparents and great-grandparents.

Visitation will be from Noon-7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Mexico Riverside Church (formerly Mexico Church of the Brethren), 4460, North Mexico Road, Mexico, Indiana, with her childhood pastor and longtime friend, Chaplain Teri White officiating.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, at the church. Burial will follow in Westlawn Cemetery, Denver.

Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Manchester University to benefit the Athletic Training Department. (c/o McClain Funeral Home, PO Box 248, Denver, Indiana.). Envelopes will be available at the church.

McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements.