Stanley Joseph Mihelick Jr.

Stanley Joseph Mihelick, Jr., 79, passed away at University of North Carolina Medical Center Hospital in Chapel Hill, N.C., Friday, April 24, 2009.

He was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Joseph Mihelick Sr.; and his mother, Anna Marie (Osolnick) Mihelick.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Mae Mihelick; brother, John Mihelick; his son, Douglas Mihelick; his daughter, Kristin May; and three grandchildren.

He was born July 2, 1929, in Luzerne, Pa. His family moved to Euclid, Ohio, where he attended Euclid Shore High School. He was a member of several legendary Euclid High School football teams. His teammates have maintained lifelong friendships and maintained their relationship with high school football coach, Mr. Walt Schwegler. He was inducted into the Euclid High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

He attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. While at Ohio U, he met and married Barbara Mae Smith of Canton, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio University with a BSIE in mechanical engineering.

Upon graduation in 1952, he accepted a position at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., but first served an ROTC commitment in the United States Air Force, serving as an electronic countermeasures officer with the rank of first lieutenant. He flew 26 combat missions during the Korean War. He received the Air Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.

In 1954, he purchased a home in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and began his career with Goodyear. He served in manufacturing planning, manufacturing supervision and corporate planning assignments at the Akron, Ohio, headquarters. In 1968, he was transferred to Gadsden, Ala., to serve as the plant manufacturing manager of Goodyear's largest tire plant. In 1971, he was transferred to Freeport, Ill., where he became plant manager of the Kelly Springfield tire plant in Freeport.

In 1974, he was transferred back to Gadsden, to become the Gadsden plant manager. In 1978, he was appointed vice-president of the U.S. tire and textile production, transferring back to Akron, Ohio. In 1982, he was appointed executive vice president, responsible for Goodyear's worldwide manufacturing operations. In 1988, he was appointed executive vice president, responsible for corporate engineering, machine design, environmental and quality. He retired from Goodyear in 1990.

In 1991, he and Barb moved to their beloved Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, N.C., near Chapel Hill. They have enjoyed many years with their friends and neighbors in Fearrington. Stan spent many hours working on Habitat for Humanity projects and Habitat fundraising while residing at Fearrington Village. In 2005, they moved to Galloway Ridge, a continuing care retirement community adjoining Fearrington Village. While at Galloway, Stan served on the founding board of directors at Galloway Ridge, retiring from the board March 2008.

Throughout his life, Stan was dedicated to his family, friends, and many projects and charitable causes. His life was an example of integrity, leadership, friendship and faith.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Christ United Methodist Church at Southern Village in Chapel Hill, N.C., 800 Market Street, Chapel Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Chatham Habitat for Humanity (www. chathamhabitat.org) or the Galloway Ridge Inc. Charitable Fund. (Address: 3000 Galloway Ridge, Pittsboro, NC 27312).

Online condolences may be given at www.hallwynne.com. Select Obituaries.

Arrangements for Mr. Mihelick are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service and Cremation, Griffin Chapel, 396 West Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312.