Mrs. Connie Jean Mikesell, 68, of Rochester was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away on December 22, 2012, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice House of Fort Wayne. Connie Jean Henderson was born in Fulton County, on December 11, 1944, the precious daughter of Clarence "Boyd" and Bernice May Baldwin Henderson. Growing up in the Burton neighborhood, she shared her childhood with two sisters, Marilyn and Shirley, and two brothers, Everett and Jerry. With great pride, Connie graduated with the class of 1962 from Rochester High School. On September 8, 1962 Connie married her best friend and high school sweetheart, Larry Mikesell. Their 50 year union produced a beautiful daughter, Melissa and a handsome son, Darrin. Later five wonderful grandchildren were added to the family tree. While living in Fort Wayne for 32 years, Connie taught at the Learning Tree and the Crescent Avenue Pre-Schools. She was passionate about teaching and the learning of her young students. She was a member of the Free Methodist Church of Fort Wayne. After Larry retired they returned to their cottage situated on the east shore of Lake Manitou. She enjoyed observing the lake activities, regardless of time of day or the season. The sunsets were phenomenal and observing the wildlife and their habits were very entertaining. A lifelong reader, Connie especially enjoyed Christian inspiration books. As the matriarch of three generations of the Mikesell clan, Connie adored her grandchildren. She listened intently when they visited, telling her stories of their daily adventures. Of course Grandma was interested in every detail as she lived their lives right along with them. Connie is lovingly remembered by her husband Larry; a daughter, Melissa Owsley of Selma, and her children Dayton, Donica, and Donovan; a son, Darrin Mikesell & wife Kyong of Ft. Wayne, and their children Sunni, and Skyler; two sisters: Marilyn Varnadore & husband Joe of North Beach, Maryland, and Shirley Farrell Estep of Charleston, WV; two brothers: Everett Henderson & companion Sharon Miller of Akron, and Jerry Henderson & wife Beverly of Denver, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents. Connie will be laid to eternal rest at Rochester's IOOF Cemetery.