Benedict-Mikesell  

Eugene George benedict, 1914-1978, and Opal May Mikeselll 1916, were married in Culver in 1937.

Gene, the son of Ernest and Alma Benedict, (See Benedict-McBride [sic Ernest Benedict Family]) was born and grew up on the family farm one and a half miles east of Lake Maxinkuckee. He graduated from Culver High School in 1932 and started working at Rudd Motor, Plymouth, as parts and service manages at $22.50 per week

Opal, the daughter of Claude and Clara Mikesell (see Mikesell-Easterday) was born and grew up in Culver . She attended Culver schools and graduated in 1934. After graduation she started working at the Academy, in the Alumni Office, for $50 per month.

Gene and Opal were married on a fall day in October and started a three week honeymoon to California. Returning home they lived the first year of their married life in the Klingerman's Apartments in Plymouth, now the site of the County Building.

In 1938 they moved to East Chicago where Gene was employed by Beatty Machine and Manufacturing, Inc. as a purchasing agent. Their two sons: Eugene Jr. and John, , were born in St. Catherine's Hospital, East Chicago.

In 1946 Gene and Opal moved back to Culver to the farm they had purchased in 1941. This was the same farm and house where Gene had been born 32 years earlier. Maxinkuckee Highland farm was established and Gene, office manager, started working with George Babcock, general manager at Lakeville Lumber and Coal, Lakeville, 1946-1950.

In 1950 Opal started a private kindergarten in her home and continued this community service until 1956 when Culver put a kindergarten in the public school system.

Gene was elected Culver -Union Township Trustee, on the Democratic ticket, in 1958-62, salary of $1500 per year. Opal served as the township clerk for $500 per year.

Early in the 1950's Gene became interested in Landrace and started purebred Landrace herd and Maxinkuckee Highland farm soon became synonymous with quality Landrace. He was elected to the National Board of Directors in 1957-1959, Vice President in 1959-1960, and president in 1961-1962. In 1966 he was hired as Executive Secretary of the American Landrace Association. He retired from this position in 1977. Opal worked as her husband's secretary-manager in the National Lanrace Office from 1966-1977. She edited the official Landrace Magazine.

Gene and Opal have two sons (11th generation in America). Eugene Jr. graduated from Culver High School in 1960 and entered McMurry College, Jacksonville, Illinois, 1960-1962, Indiana University, 1962-1966, graduating with a B. A. Chemistry and Doctor of Optometry degree. He married Barbara Moser in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1963. Their children are: Susan Jean and Sarah Ann, 1967 and Eugene George II, 1970. Gene Jr. now lives and practices in Buchanan, Michigan. Barbara (Mrs. Peter Rockaway) lives and teaches in Plymouth.

John graduated from Culver High School in 1962 and was graduated from there College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia in 1966 with a B.A. - Economics degree; later receiving a M.A. - Education degree from Indiana University in 1976. He married Marilyn Day of Warsaw, Virginia in 1969. Their children are: Matthew Allen, 1971; Kathleen McBride, 1973 and Rebecca Day, 1977.

Opal and Gene were members of Wesley Methodist Church in Culver and were active in the administration of the church. Opal has served three times as president of Methodist Women and is still active member of Wesley Church. She is a past President and active member of Culver City Club, Literature Group and Holy Cross - Parkview Hospital Auxiliary.

Gene is buried in the Culver Masonic Cemetery. - Opal Miksell Benedict. - - History of Marshall County Indiana Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 -, Taylor Publishing Co., 1986, Publication # 357 of 1422, Marshall County Historical Society pg. 81