Danville – Floyd Anthony Mickley, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday September 2, 2016, in his home on Mickley Road following a brave battle with COPD and CHF. The good Lord granted him his final request that he die in the same house he was born in, The Mickley “home place”. Where he was born and raised. A home he shared with his parents and 12 older siblings, and then with his wife and children. Floyd and his wife, Sally, bought the Mickley “home place” and farm in 1976 and continued the traditions of farming and raising a large family, having 11 children of their own. They loved telling people the crop they were best at raising was kids.
He was born May 22, 1935, the youngest of 13 to Edward & Hilda (Gardner) Mickley. He graduated from Danville High school where he participated in football, basketball and track. His High School Year Book described him as “Wee but Wicked”. He married his high school sweetheart, Marcella “Sally” (Didinger) in 1956. They were married nearly 55 years before she passed away in March of 2011. He missed her dearly and he spoke often of seeing her again in Heaven.
Floyd was the proud father of 11 children, Marsha (Lyle) Lyons, Rose Mickley, Patty (Joseph) Guth, Pauline Mickley, Keith (Sherri) Mickley, Scott (Pam) Mickley, Gerard Mickley, Gary Mickley, Richard (Suzanne) Mickley, Frank Mickley and Russell (Heidi)Mickley and grandpa to 14 grandchildren, Toni Lyons, Ryan Sapp and Julie, Brad (Shelby), Eric (Megan), Jon, Clayton, Amanda(Michael Garcia), Paige, Daniel, Hannah (Jared Hickle), Tyler, Joey and Kadence Mickley and 7 great-grandchildren, Levi & Landon Lyons, Charliey, Kari and Tenley Mickley, and Ameira and Abel Garcia. He is survived by his brother, Don Mickley and sisters, Dorothy Colopy and Irene Williams.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and four children, Gerard, Pauline, Frank and Richard Mickley, his sisters, Mary Lousie Boeshart and Joyce Summers and his brothers, John, Joe, Paul , Eddie, Bob, Jessie, Kenny Mickley.
He was a lifelong member of St Luke Catholic Church. He was a retired machinist from Continental Can. He was also a lifelong farmer, growing crops and raising hogs and lambs. He loved watching the crops grow and loved the change of the seasons. . He enjoyed hunting, especially rabbits and mushrooms. He loved to load all his kids into his station wagon and head out on adventures, traveling and camping. He was an avid sports fan. A huge Danville Blue Devil, Cleveland Brown, OSU, and Cleveland Indian fan. For years, he attended every sporting event his kids and grandkids were involved in. As his health failed and he was unable to attend ballgames, he would sit glued to the radio, listening to every play of his grandson’s ballgames. He was very proud of his Mickley athletes, many of whom inherited his very competitive, never quit attitude. Many of who are indeed “wee but wicked”.
Floyd was very serious about his family card games. He liked to talk and tell stories and share memories from his past. He did not know a stranger. He enjoyed traveling and seeing new things. He and his wife traveled all over the United States and often took the family dog, Bear with them.
He also rode all over his farm and Mickley Road on his now retired golf cart. He took great pride in telling people how many of his “kids” still live in the Danville area. He also liked to tell his doctors and nurses that he only hears what he wants to hear and with 11 kids, he was glad he could not hear everything. He could fix anything, make anything, and build anything. He never backed down from a challenge. He taught us, if you want something- get up and work for it , don’t be afraid to speak your mind, believe in the power of prayer and miracles, when your body grows weak- keep your faith strong, family may fight but families always forgive and there’s no place like home. His earthbound “kids” will miss him, he truly was the head of our family but our hearts are filled with joy that dad and mom have been reunited in God’s Holy Kingdom and that our heavenly brothers and sisters have been reunited with our parents. The Mickley legacy will live on in each of us.
A Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 6th at the St. Luke Church in Danville with Father Homer Blubaugh officiating. Burial will follow in St. Luke Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at the church from 5-8 Monday evening, followed by a Christian Wake Service, and one hour prior to the Mass on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hospice of Knox County, 17700 Coshocton rd. Mount Vernon, 43050, or at hospiceofknox.org. The Fischer Funeral Home in Danville is handling arrangements.
