John Mikulich

John George Mikulich, age 88, of Crown Point, IN, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2008, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born November 29, 1919 in Gary, he was the son of the late Nick and Anna (nee Bucha) Mikulich. He attended Holy Trinity Church in Gary as a child. The family owned and operated a meat market on 22nd and Broadway. They later relocated to 45th and Broadway. The final location for the family business was at 62nd and Broadway, with Mikulich Picnic Grove, where they barbequed lambs on Sundays and Holidays and had a meat processing facility. John constructed The Mikulich Meat Market in 1949, which he sold in 1966 and is currently Piatek Meats. John served as a Staff Sergeant in 613th Field Artillery Battalion and Hq. 97th F. A. Bn. from November 19, 1941 through August 14, 1945. He received the following medals, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/2 Bronze Stars per WD. G #33/45, American Defense Service Medal; and the Good Conduct Ribbon per GO #13 Hq 97th FA Bn/43. John was known for both his cooking and mule tending skills. He attended numerous army reunions across the United States, with the last being the 2007 reunion in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where his 613th unit was formed. John started in the harness business at the young age of 19, with the purchase of Grey Boy. He drove horses for 44 years in the Chicago land Area as well as Henderson, Ky., and throughout the Indiana and Illinois Fair Circuit. He and his wife Rose purchased and operated a 100 acre training and breeding farm located in Crown Point, IN, for many years, which at one time was occupied by over 50 head of horses. John has owned more than 50 horses throughout the years. John was a member of The American Legion Post #20, Crown Point Moose Lodge #260, Mars Task Force Mountain Artillery Association, Merrillâ€™s Marauders Association and Croation Lodge 170 for 70 years. The family would like to acknowledge their appreciation for the wonderful care that was given by, Donna R, and Ann from Hospice of the Calumet Area. John is survived by his wonderful wife Rose (nee Sibincic), of 57 years. He is also survived by his children, Nick (Marilyn Beaty), George (Patty), Mary Phelps, Barb Pettineo, Patti (Dennis) Lee, and Sue (Tom) Morgan. John had 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several step-grand and great grandchildren. Brother-In Laws Jerry (Mary) Sibincic and Nick Prentoff, Sister-In Laws Albina Mikulich and Marie Ulicni and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Proceeding John in death were his brothers Steve and John, sister Helen Lucas, 1st wife Rose (Prentoff) Mikulich Mother-In Law Mary Sibincic and Son-in Law Lou Pettineo. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN with Father Stephen Loncar officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrrillville. Friends may call at Burns Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family ask you donate in Johnâ€™s honor to Hospice of the Calumet Area, 600 Superior Avenue, Munster, Indiana 46321, The Indiana Veterans Home, 3851 N. River Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906 or Crown Point Moose Lodge #260, P.O. Box 201, Crown Point, IN 46307

John Mikulich

November 29, 1919 - April 19, 2008