David J. Mikula

1948 - 2023

David "Dave" J. Mikula
Manistee, Michigan
April 24, 2023
David J. "Dave" Mikula was a devoted friend, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He passed away on April 24th, 2023 after his caring heart gave out after a short illness. He was 76 years old.
Dave was born in Manistee and settled back in his home town after his military service. He grew up down the street from St. Joseph School, where he attended, and had many stories of serving Holy Mass when the sisters would call his mom very early in the morning to get him to church to take someone's place. He graduated from Manistee Catholic Central in its first graduating class. Dave had life-long friendships formed in his neighborhood and schools. He was proud of his school athletics career, and his high school band experience carried over into his military service, where he played the trumpet.
Dave was honored to serve his country with honor and distinction in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Iceland and Greece with the Navy, and proudly continued to serve in the Naval Reserves for 25 years after his 4 years of active service.
Dave never did anything half-way he gave his entire heart to all of his pursuits. A life-long sportsman, he was a passionate golfer, with a lifetime of practice searching for that better swing. Dave and his friends played as long as the weather allowed, and he boasted of coming home with the most quarters from their rounds. He was a loyal member of the Manistee Elks No. 250. He bowled with a league, he hunted with his sons and other family members, followed his beloved Michigan teams, and took great pride in watching his children and grandchildren play football, baseball, and soccer.
Dave's Catholic faith sustained him and gave him the strength to face any challenge that came his way, including many serious health challenges throughout his life. Dave was an excellent caretaker of a kidney donated by his son Aaron 13 years ago. His joy of life was contagious!
In a life filled with joy, Dave's greatest joys were his family and friends. His wife, children and step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, extended family members and many close friends were the center of his world. He was always there for them with the warmest bear hug, an engaging smile, a listening ear, and wise advice. He was a friend to all and loved everyone, always willing to lend a hand and help out in any way he could. Dave loved being part of Michalene's huge family who loved him back. He is dearly missed, may he rest in eternal peace, and may his memory continue to inspire and uplift us all.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Ethel, his sister Theresa, daughter Joey, his former wife Cherryl, step-son Matt, nephew Robbie, and his dear friends John Bartos and John Kinsley.
He is survived by his beloved wife Michalene, his sons Scott (Pam), and Aaron (Serra), daughter Billi (Yao Jerry), his step-sons Ben (Cheryl), Nicholas (Anna), and Michael (Linmarie), his step-daughters Diana (Bryan) and Shannon (Brad). Counted among his numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren are Brady, Desmond, Kwame, Kwabena, Yao Kingston, Alli, Bailee, Jake, Noah, James, Alexander, Austin, Casey, Jack, and Sophia, and great-grandchildren Blake and Liam, his loving cousin Carolyn and brother-in-law Robert "Rocky" Rakowski.
Dave's life will be celebrated at a visitation and vigil on Tuesday, May 2 from 6-9 p.m., prayer service and rosary at 7:30 p.m. at Herbert Funeral Home, 706 Kosciusko St., Manistee.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 249 Sixth Street Manistee. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Manistee where the members of the Manistee County United Veterans Council Ritual Squad will conduct Military Honors, followed by a Polish luncheon at the St. Joseph Parish Center in Manistee.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a contribution to the Manistee Catholic Central School General Fund, please use the following address:
Manistee Catholic Central Schools, c/o 254 Sixth Street, Manistee, MI 49660.
The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.