Henry David Mikkelsen, Jr.

Henry David Mikkelsen Jr., 75, of Lake Placid Florida, was called home to be with his heavenly Father on November 12, 2025, in Sebring, FL

Known as Dave to most, but Hank to some, he was the eldest child born to Ella Louise and Henry David Mikkelsen, Sr., on December 4, 1949, in Cincinnati, OH. He grew up in Boone County, KY, spending much of his time playing basketball. After graduating from Boone County High School, he earned full scholarships to Anderson Junior College and Erskine College, both in South Carolina, where he played basketball before graduating.

While at Erskine, he married Jeanna K. Judd. Dave and Jeanna had four children: Henry David III, Nathan, Joshua, and Kathryn.

He was blessed to find love again with his current wife, Linda. Dave moved to Ohio with his dog Mitch where he and Linda raised her two grandchildren for five years. Linda and Dave then moved to Lake Placid FL. Dave found his final home on the canal where he and Linda fished, boated, and enjoyed watching nature.

Dave had a lengthy career dedicated to helping the community of greater Cincinnati. Beginning with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, OH, in 1972, he spent 39 years working with Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions programs until he retired as the Director of AmeriCorps Senior Services in 2011. His work positively impacted the lives of the Seniors he worked with, as well as the Children and Seniors they cared for in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Throughout the years Dave was an active member of many different churches. In his youth he attended St. John United Church of Christ in Harrison OH, then Faith Lutheran and Hopeful Lutheran in KY. Later he attended multiple Baptist Churches and Union Presbyterian in KY., where in 1996 he was Ordained as a Ruling Elder. At West Independence United Methodist in OH, he taught Sunday School. Most recently, he was a member of Community Church of God in Lake Placid and was Head Usher. He will truly be missed by his church family.

His children, faith, work, and career kept him remarkably busy.

He was recently blessed with the title Grandpa or “Pa”, as his eldest grandson called him. He cherished his grandsons. They brought many smiles, laughter and joy to his life.

In his free time, Dave enjoyed the outdoors, especially swimming, water skiing, and fishing. He was an avid hunter from an early age, getting his first deer, an 8-point buck, at the age of 16. His fishing life began with a cane pole and later included Canadian Fishing trips, Deep Sea, and Ocean Excursions, along with day trips to local lakes and rivers wherever he was living.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife Jeanna Kaye Judd Mikkelsen (2016), son Nathan Ellis Mikkelsen (1981), and his parents, Ella Louise Heinzelman Mikkelsen (2020) and Henry David Mikkelsen Sr. (2010).

He is survived by his loving wife Linda Elaine, whom he called ‘Smiley’, and her family that includes: 4 Children Ruthanna, Malia, JR and Richard, 5 Grandchildren, 3 Great-grandchildren, 9 Siblings and their Spouses. His children: Henry David Mikkelsen III, Joshua Kellum Mikkelsen, Kathryn Laurel Bertke, (Ryan) and their sons Henry Ellis, and Emmett Reece. His sister Beverly Henley (James); brother-in-law Kenneth Judd (Sandra Genco); niece Anna Henley, nephews Aaron Judd (April) and Justin Judd; aunt Clara Weber; uncle Henry Heinzelman Jr.; 13 cousins and a multitude of friends!

In lieu of flowers, donations in his Memory can be made to:

Community Church of God Good Shepherd Hospice Sebring Catholic Charities S.W. Ohio 735 S. Sun Blvd.             11240 Telecom Dr. Ste 301       7162 Reading Road, Ste 600 Lake Placid, FL 33852       Temple Terrace, FL 33637      Cincinnati, OH 45237