Kent Millikan

June 10, 1937 – April 23, 2025

Kent Millikan, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Sheridan, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. Born June 10, 1937, in Sheridan, he was the son of the late Guy M. and Denzle Belle (Venable) Millikan.

When you spend a lifetime as a farmer, you learn by doing, and sometimes those lessons help you in ways you’d never expect. One important lesson was how equipment worked; how to tear it apart, fix it, and put it back together again. His ability to diagnose problems and develop solutions served him well during his career “off the farm.” He started as a mechanic with Foxworthy Ford before eventually hiring on at United Feeds (now United Animal Health) in Sheridan. Eventually, Kent decided to change gears and became a driver for the company, but he never lost his touch for keeping their equipment in top condition. During his 28 years with United Feeds, he either serviced, fixed, or drove just about every piece of equipment that they owned. He also enjoyed working as a bus driver for his alma mater, the Westfield-Washington School District, for many years.

No matter where he worked throughout his life, Kent’s heart was always tied to farming. He loved every aspect of it, especially (and not surprisingly) working on the equipment. Keeping it all in working order is a pretty tall order sometimes, but Kent had a way of being able to fix the impossible. However, his favorite part of farming was the fact that he was able to do it alongside his sons. When he had some time for other projects around the house, working in the garden was always high on the list.

Family was always a part of whatever was going on in his life. He was proud to be part of the Lebanon Honda Gold Wing Association. He and his wife, Barbara, loved to travel, and nothing said “let’s head out on an adventure” like getting on the Gold Wing. They also enjoyed traveling to Sebring, Fla., to live the snowbird lifestyle, and looked forward to reuniting with their “Florida Family” every winter. Another one of their favorite activities was keeping up with all of the grandkids’ activities. It didn’t matter whether Kent and Barbara were in Indiana, Florida, or parts unknown, they always knew who was doing what, and how it was going.

It is hard to count how many hearts Kent touched throughout his life. His giving nature and willingness to help anyone who needed it, especially when it came to helping other farmers, says more than words ever could. He will be greatly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have him in their life.

Kent is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Ann (Singleton) Millikan. She and Kent were married on January 7, 1956. Also surviving are two sons, Kevin S. Millikan (Nancy) of Sheridan and Brian Kent Millikan (Lorie) of Sheridan; two daughters, Lynette Millikan-Cunningham of Hagerstown, Md., and Luann Cheryl Colvin (Ronald) of Kokomo; four grandchildren, Terri Holbrook of Hagerstown, Md., Christina Ann Blanding (Justin) of Westfield, Devon Heck (Erin Shockley) of Tipton, and Melissa Miller (Rickey) of Kokomo; six great-grandchildren, Trey Miller, Able Miller, Maverick Miller, Jalen Miller, Nyla Ann Blanding, and Corey Ford; and three sisters, Carol Jane Edwards, Julianne Baldwin, and Sharon Joy Thompson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy M. and Denzle Belle (Venable) Millikan; two sisters, Sandra Sue Dennis and June Millikan Cordell; son-in-law, Denny Cunningham; and five brothers-in-law, Robert Edwards, William Dennis, Arthur Baldwin, Eugene Cordell, and Vern Thompson.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan.

Kent will be laid to rest at Summitt Lawn Cemetery in Westfield at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Compassus Hospice for their loving attention and nurturing care, as well as a special thank you to Kent’s case manager, Lauren. Also, a special hug goes out from family to everyone for all of your well-wishes, thoughts, and prayers, as well as to everybody who took the time and effort to visit and offer a bit of love and cheer.

Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com