John Mikulski Obituary

Mikulski, John

John "Jack" Andrew Mikulski, Dzia Dzia, Loving husband of Kathleen nee Sternagle, and the late Geri nee Bednarczyk, Loving Father of Lora, John Jr. (Susan Degy), June, Julie (John) Sheehy, Jason (Kristy) and Jill. Loving Stepfather of Christine Burdick, Kimberly (Jerry) Stafford. Loving Dzia Dzia of Michael (Serena) Salerno, Marc (Gabrielle) Dabaco, Jason (Ashley) Salerno, Katie (Walter) Hudyma, Nicholas Salerno, John Sheehy, John A. Jr. and Daniel Mikulski, Rocco Errico, Chloe, Jack, Gage, Jayden Mikulski, and Sydney Geri. Loving Step Dzia Dzia of Alyssa, Ryan Burdick, Emma Stafford and Samantha Degy-Hoge. Great Dzia Dzia of Mikayla, Maya Salerno, Giovanna, Brooklyn, Vivienne, Diesel Dabaco, Anthony, Juliana and the late Aubrey Salerno, Atlas, Harlow Hudyma, and Kristian Mikulski. StepGreat Dzia Dzia of Kayden, Liam Kleinstub. Loving brother of James (Lois), Wayne (Charlotte), and the late Andrea Mikulski. Loving brother-in-law of John (Donna) Divello, Raymond (Lisa) Divello, and the late David Divello. Loving Uncle of Sue (Dave) Rock, Sharon (Jeff) Johnson, Derek (Valencia) Mikulski. Loving Step Uncle of Anthony (Jess), Marc (Lana), Allison, Danny Divello, Jeremy (Ashley) Lakoskey. Jack's trailblazing began in 1950 a ten-year-old boy growing up in South Chicago, declaring, "I'm going to school, I'm going to work." He envisioned his end-goal knowing the cost to achieve it. A graduate of Saint Francis De Sales HS in 1958. He met Geri at Marquette Gardens Dinner Club, marrying in 1960. He put himself through college by selling cookware door-to-door, earning top salesman awards. He attended the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1964, he earned a BFA in Industrial Design Cum Laude from U of I-Urbana Champaign. He received numerous awards in industrial design and was featured in the April 1963 Life magazine. At 29 years old, as the National Sales Manager of Aiwa Electronics International, he traveled throughout Asia. In 1969 his growing family moved to Palos Heights into a home he designed. Joining Edelston Associates in 1970 he remained there until 1996, when he built a new manufacturers' rep. company, JAM Assoc. He was also instrumental with the creation of JMS Inc. Spending time in Three Lakes, WI his entire life, in 1979, he purchased lake front property on Big Lake. In 1993, a new home was built, designed by Jack. The family grew, along with the property known as Dingo Sh*t Lodge. This treasured destination has allowed our family to create cherished memories that will continue for future generations. Sadly, 2002, we lost our loving mom. Our dad met Kathy at a grieving group and married in 2006. We believe our mother sent Kathy as an angel to spend 20 wonderful years with our dad. We were blessed with Kathy and her entire family. An accomplished artist, inventor, Muskie fisherman, skeet shooter, hunter, snowmobiler, boating and car enthusiast whose only speed was FAST. A mentor, coach, Renaissance man: he will be missed by all, but his legacy will be eternal. Visitation Tuesday 2-8 PM. Funeral Wednesday 9:00 AM from Lawn Funeral Home 17909 S. 94th Ave. Tinley Park, IL 60487 to Our Lady of the Woods Church. Mass 10:00 AM Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ace Foundation Children's Miracle Network, Ace Hardware Foundation Memory John Mikulski Sr. by copying the link https://acehardwarefoundation.org/events/in-loving-memory-of-john-mikulski-sr/. Funeral Info 708-523-3100

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