Ethel (Wehunt) Mickle, 94, of Bonanza, Arkansas and later Fort Smith, passed away peacefully Monday, March 27, 2023, in Fort Smith. Ethel was of Baptist faith and a member of Living Faith Church. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed watching baseball and basketball games, live and on television. She was an avid Cardinal and Cubs fan.
Ethel was born February 11, 1929, in Kinta, Oklahoma, to Walter and Ima (Kemp) Wehunt. Ethel lived in Kinta until she was 12 years old, then her family moved to Van Buren, Arkansas. She attended Van Buren High School in what is now Butterfield Middle School and graduated in 1946. “A Touch of Genius” was printed under her senior yearbook picture.
Ethel worked in sales at the Fort Smith Woolworth’s store. She met a dashing young man by the name of Chester Frank (Frankie) Mickle who worked close by at McKesson Robbins. Ethel and Chester married April 6, 1957, in her home at Van Buren.
Ethel is survived by her children Cheryl (Charles) Higginbotham of Barling, Hal (Cheryl Ann) Mickle of Greenwood, Tracy (Neil) McNabb of Fort Smith, and Lex (Ashley) Mickle of Fort Smith; her grandchildren Melisa (James) Hamilton, Jennifer (David) Hughes, Joshua (Courtney) Watson, Eric (fiance Savannah) Watson, Rayne and Rance Mickle as well as several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Chester F. Mickle, her brothers JB and Bill Wehunt, and her parents.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Friday, March 31 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at White Bluff Cemetery. Viewing and visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Friday prior to the service
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club, c/o Beth Presley, Evans Boys Club, 6015 Boys Club Lane, Fort Smith, AR 72908.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
