John R. Mikulich

          John R. Mikulich, age 99, of Trenary, died on Saturday afternoon, July 22, 2023 at Norlite Nursing Home in Marquette, Michigan.  John was born on April 8, 1924 in Trenary to Frank and Mary (Krajac) Mikulich.  He graduated from Trenary High School.  On August 26, 1944, he married Pauline Laurich and together raised their four children.  John and Pauline owned and operated a family dairy farm in Trenary for many years.  He worked in the woods cutting tie cuts and pulp for the local paper mill and worked part time for the Soo Line Railroad.  John finished his 23-year career as a heavy equipment operator for the Alger County Road Commission and retired in 1987.  He was a lifelong member of St. Rita Catholic Church in Trenary.  John played softball and participated in a bowling league in Chatham in his younger days.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseshoes, and playing with his kids and grandchildren.  John was a huge fan of NASCAR and the Detroit Tigers.   He especially liked dancing polkas with his lifelong bride Pauline at the Traunik Hall.  They also enjoyed adventurous bus trips around the United States in their retirement years.

          John is survived by his loving bride of 78 years – Pauline; their four children Kathy (Tim) O’Reilly, Jack (Anne) Mikulich, James (Carol) Mikulich, and Julie Alton; grandchildren -  Mary Ann (Scott) Lichvar, Christine (David) Dyroff, Michael (Tamara) O’Reilly, Jamie (Bill) Matl, Jennifer (Paul) Peterson, Jeffrey (Hilary) Mikulich, Jason Mikulich, Scott Alton, and Crystal Alton; great grandchildren -   Erin (Matt) Silberberg, Ashton (John) Dukes, Ethan Lichvar, Erica (Britton) Campbell, Samantha (Patrick) Salmon, Jenna Dyroff, Anna Dyroff, Sheamus O’Reilly, Rory O’Reilly, Harper Matl, Emerson Matl, Thomas Peterson, Aaron Peterson, Jacob Peterson, Annalise Peterson, Leah Mikulich, and Quinn Mikulich; his great great grandchildren -   Ella Grace Silberberg and Everett Silberberg;  three siblings -   Julia Ruuska, Elizabeth Weber, and Helen Lee; and several nieces and nephews.

          John was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Frank Mikulich; son-in-law – Jay Alton; grandson – Thomas Sobota; and 5 siblings -   Mary, Frank, Angela, Albert, & Kristina. 

          Graveside services will be announced at a later date.

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