Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Grace College and Seminary honored long-time Winona Lake resident D. Blaine Mikesell at a ceremony Tuesday at Westminster Hall on the Grace campus.
As a tribute to Mikesell and his family, the lobby and conference area of the historic building has been named the D. Blaine Mikesell Conference Center at Westminster Hall.
Mikesell, who grew up in Winona Lake on the site of Grace's Indiana Hall, has been a well-known business and community leader for several decades. He was president of ABC Industries Inc., from 1940-1979 and served as a member of the Winona Lake Town Council from 1952-59. Dr. Steve Grill, dean of community education at Grace, said Mikesell "has done almost everything in Winona through the years."
Mikesell also served on the Westminster Campaign Steering Committee during the mid-1990s.
At the July 6 dedication ceremony, Grace President Ron Manahan said, "Because of Mr. Mikesell's esteemed life, community leadership, business leadership, history with this building, commitment to campus and generous support, we are privileged today to have this conference center named in honor of D. Blaine Mikesell."
A plaque bearing Mikesell's likeness and an inscription was unveiled at the dedication. It will be placed in the lobby of Westminster Hall, which is at Ninth Street and College Avenue in Winona Lake.
