Stephen Thomas Mifkovic

1920 - 2015

Stephen Thomas Mifkovic, 94, was born October 11, 1920 to Agnes Struhar and Peter Mifkovic, early century immigrants from Austria-Hungary. He was one of six siblings (Mary, Frank, Stella, Katherine and Edward) all of whom pre-deceased him. He grew up in East Baltimore and attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School. He attended a trade school, and then enlisted in the Navy where he attended boot camp and was assigned to a metal working position in Pensacola, FL. It was at this time he suffered an injury to his hand where he lost several of his fingers. He met and married Lillian Irene Smith, also of East Baltimore, and had one daughter. He worked for Glen L Martin aviation and Pioneer Refrigeration after leaving the Navy. He then worked for the Public Works Department at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis where he was a foreman in the area of refrigeration and air conditioning. It was from there that he retired. He was a very active member of the Oliver Fish and Game Club and also the Parkville American Legion and the Balladier Chorus. He was also part of an East Baltimore group of entertainers that helped raise money for various churches and organizations. He loved to sing and entertain and was an accomplished banjo player in the Baltimore area. He and his family moved to Pasadena, MD in the late 1950's and acquired a residence in the Manhattan Beach area of Severna Park in the 1980's. He was a regular patron and entertainer at Hamlins Tavern on Benfield Road where he met other musicians and comics. He also became acquainted with Eddie Parlett, a well-known east coast vaudeville performer who directed many shows and productions for local schools and organizations in the Anne Arundel County area. He was one of the original members of the Severna Park Bums whose members still entertain today for many senior citizen groups. He was a member of the original St. Johns Catholic Church and choir. His most current residence was at the Annapolitan Assisted Living facility where he played the piano every morning to entertain the residents and staff. He is survived by his daughter Irene Riker of Marietta, GA; granddaughters Christa Riker Sheets of Holly Springs, NC, and Tiffany K. Schroeder of Cumming, GA. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Lily and Jack. Family and friends are invited for a memorial mass in Stephen's memory on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 10:30am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Severna Park. A luncheon will follow at Café Mezzanotte. Interment will take place on Friday, May 29, 2015 at 10:00am at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville.