Mildred L. Swales, 91 years old, of Lawrenceburg, IN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at St. Andrews Health Campus following a stroke three months earlier. Known affectionately to most as Mickey, she was born to Mary and Roman Kuebel and raised on a farm in Yorkville, IN, now known as Beiersdorfer Orchards. She grew up a member of St Martin’s Parish. After graduating from Guilford High School, Mickey worked at the Dearborn County Courthouse for several years. She married John Swales in December of 1960. A few years after their marriage she quit working to become a domestic engineer and full-time mother to her daughter, Carol. When her husband, John, was elected sheriff in 1983, she became Matron of the Jail. In that role, she prepared meals for every prisoner in the Dearborn County Jail. This consisted of three meals a day, seven days a week, for four years. This was a job for which she was meant to do, as she was an excellent cook.
After retiring from the Matron work, she always found ways to keep busy. She was on a bowling league, she was a sub in her sisters euchre league, she worked various roles in the election poll processes, and after moving to Lawrenceburg and joining the St. Lawrence’s Parish, she served on the bereavement committee, helping to prepare meals for the families having funerals at the parish. Mickey took great pride in her home, inside and out, she made sure her yard was just as beautiful as the inside of her home. She worked tirelessly on making both areas of her home as beautiful and inviting as could be.
Mickey was happiest when she was with family and friends or when her home was filled with people. She loved hosting and cooking for visitors. Her first question may have been, “How are you?” but it was quickly followed by, “Are you hungry?” No one ever left Mickey’s house without a full belly or a full heart. She had a gift for making people feel like the highlight of her day and always expressed how happy she was to see them. With a wonderful sense of humor, she especially enjoyed visits from friends and family, including nieces and nephews who stopped by frequently just to say hello. The Kuebel Christmas parties she hosted were unforgettable, and of course, any party with Kuebel fried chicken was a winner.
Mickey’s family is very grateful for the care she received at St. Andrews Health Campus from her nurses, aides and cleaning staff and from the nurses at Margaret Mary Hospice. Before her stay at St. Andrews, she was lovingly cared for by Rita Buckingham, an in-home caretaker, and by Sarah McClellan and her dog, Zoey, who quickly became part of Mickey’s daily life and remained so even after she moved to St. Andrews. The heartfelt care and support Mickey received during her final months from Sarah and Zoey brought enormous comfort to her and her family.
Mildred will be deeply missed by her daughter, Carol (Michelle) Swales of Noblesville; siblings, Russell (Martina) Kuebel and Raymond (Gloria) Kuebel; many nieces and nephews; and several grand-dogs and grand-cats. Mickey was preceded in death by her husband of over 30 years, John Swales; parents Mary (Lipps) and Roman Kuebel, siblings Irma Andres, Mary Rose Graf, Ralph Kuebel, and Robert Kuebel. She also was preceded in death by her first husband, Leroy Barrows, who died while serving in the Army.
Visitation for Mickey will be held on Saturday, June 27 at Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home at 25615 State Rt 1, Guilford, IN 47022 from 9:00am – 10:30am. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am at St. John’s Campus of All Saints Parish at 25743 State Rt 1, also in Guilford, IN. Immediately following the mass will be a brief graveside service at Greendale Cemetery. For those unable to attend, the Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily.
In honor of her giving spirit and her support of a specific rescue, all Memorials in Mickey’s honor can be made toward Our Lil Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. Memorials will be accepted at the visitation or can be made via the options listed at https://olbhrescue.wpcomstaging.com. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.