Mike Mikich

Mike Mikich

Mike Mikich passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in Libertyville, IL. He was 92. Born Nov. 25, 1932, in Waukegan, IL, Mike was one of three children and the only son of Jovan and Lubica Mikich.

A first-generation American, he graduated from Waukegan High School. He joined the Army and served in England during the Korean War. Mike married Joan McCann in 1956 and they had four children. The couple lived in Green Oaks and Libertyville all of their married life.

Mike was Superintendent at Skokie Valley Asphalt for 30 years. Respected as a hard worker and sharp businessman, he then founded Meridian Construction Company in Lake Bluff in 1981, before retiring in 1997.

He was a longtime member of the Southside Athletic Club, attending luncheon meetings with his friends well into retirement. Always an athlete, Mike was an original member of the Centre Club in Libertyville and worked out there regularly. Over the years he played volleyball, basketball and enjoyed golfing. He enjoyed working on all types of puzzles, and spent time building model airplanes, cars and ships.

Mike and his wife, Joan, often enjoyed going to Panera together. He visited the Libertyville Farmers Market every week to buy peaches for family and friends. He also liked to go to Menards and roam the aisles.

He had lifelong friendships, both personal and professional, nurtured by regular breakfast get-togethers and other outings. Mike and Joan often traveled to Florida and established a group of close friends there.

He was a benefactor to many organizations, generously giving his time and talents.

Mike was first and foremost a family man. He and Joan built a close-knit, caring family. He was close to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, offering his special brand of loving humor and advice to all. Mike was a caring brother, always watching out for his sisters. And he was always ready with a hug for his nieces and nephews.

Mike was a loving husband, a devoted father and caring son and brother. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Joan McCann Mikich; four children, Sharon (James) Kretschmar, Nancy (John) Braun, Michael (Sharon) Mikich and Patricia (Mark) Valkenaar; five grandchildren, Brittany, Matthew, Katharine, Nicholas and Dylan; three great-grandchildren, Declan, Isabelle and Leon; his sister, Laura Kulmala; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jovan and Lubica Mikich Gurdevich; a sister, Dorothy Mikich; and brother-in-law, Ray Kulmala.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave. (Rt. 176, one block west of Milwaukee Ave.) in Libertyville. A private interment will be at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Libertyville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to The National Brain Tumor Society, www.braintumor.org or Accord Hospice, www.accordhospice.com.

For info, 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com.