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Joseph Mikita Obituary
December 8, 2009
Joseph John "Joe the Toe" Mikita, 68, of 962 W. Coal St., Shenandoah, died Tuesday evening at Saint Catherine Medical Center Fountain Springs.
Born in Shen-andoah, Oct. 24, 1941, he was a son of the late George and Alfreda Zagorsky Mikita.
Joe was a 1960 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah, and an Army veteran of the Vietnam era.
Joseph was employed by Fabri-Kal Manufacturing Corp., Hazleton, for 36 years until he retired.
He was a member of Annunciation BVM Catholic Church, Shenandoah, Shenandoah AMVETS Post 7, Shenandoah Heights Fire Company, Glover's Hill Athletic Club and DAV. He was also a PIAA official with membership in the Pennsylvania Umpires Association.
Joseph was a member of the Northern Chapter Hall of Fame and an inductee of the former Jerry Wolman Hall of Fame. Joseph was an avid sports fan who loved Penn State, the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and the Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils. Joe played sports in high school and later became the kicker for the semi-pro team the Coal Crackers, thus earning his nickname "Joe the Toe." He went on to play softball for various teams, which led him to his umpiring career in baseball and softball.
Another joy of his was playing Santa Claus for his family and friends, but his most recent joy was his grandson, Nicholas.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter and a brother, Alfred Mikita.
Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Helen Ann Discavage; two sons, Joseph Mikita Jr. and his wife, Michelle, at home, and Mark Mikita, at home; three brothers, William Mikita and his wife, Jean, New Jersey, Frank Mikita, Shenandoah Heights, and Ronald Mikita and his wife, Ginny, Weston Place; a grandson, Nicholas; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday from Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc., 40 N. Jardin St. Shenandoah. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in Annunciation BVM Catholic Church, Shenandoah, by Monsignor Bernard Flanagan. Interment will follow in Annunciation BVM Cemetery Chapel. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Mikita
December 20, 2009
Helen and Family,
My sincerest sympathy to you all. My prayers are there for all of you.
Sincerely, Diane (Herring)Abram
Jeannie Golden
December 20, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
December 17, 2009
Dear Helen Ann, Joey, Mark and the Mikita family,
Linda and I send to all of you our deepest sympathies. We were deeply saddened to hear of Joe's passing. Although we have not spent much time in Shenandaoh these last years we have have thought about you and the family and of course Joe, especially at Christmas many times. There will never be another Santa Claus like Joe. Our daughter Christina also sends her deepest condolences and only wishes she could have got to know her God Parents better.
Linda's history is much longer with you and Joe and the Mikita family than mine, but all those Christmas nights that we visited your house will never be forgotten. Joe was one of a kind and I am thankful that I and my family had an oppotunity to know him and share his laughter.
He is already missed.... I just hope heven was ready for him.....
God bless,
Linda (Zukas) & Alan Dalla Palu Winston-Salem, North Carolina
December 16, 2009
Helen Ann,
I never expected when I went into the internet to get your phone number that I would see Joe's notice in the paper. YOur Christmas letter did indicate he was not doing well but for sure I never expected this. I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I would have known about the services.
May you find comfort in the fact that his trials are now over and he is finally at peace.
GOd bless you.
Sue Diller
Tiffany Kulpowicz
December 14, 2009
I am sorry for your loss. Joe always had a smile on his face and made others around him laugh. Know that he is smiling down on you. May you find peace in happy memories.
December 14, 2009
Helen and family,our deepest condolences .Joe was a happy,fun guy with a heart of gold.He brought smiles to our children every Xmas showing up at our house.I will never forget the year Danielle came home from the hospital after being diagnosed with leukemia and Santa showed up at the house,that made her Xmas.He will be sadly missed by all!Kim&Frank Kacilowicz
BRIDGET+GARY WALSH
December 13, 2009
DEAR HELEN ANN, JOE ,MARK +FAMILY
JOE WAS A GREAT GUY AND A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE ,HAD SOME GOOD TIMES WITH HIM I WILL MISS HIM SO MUCH MAY GOD BLESS YOU AT THIS TIME
December 13, 2009
Dear Helen and family
Our heartfelt sympathy on your loss. Remembering you with prayers .
God Bless.
Tom and Mailyn Landers
Ray Wisno
December 13, 2009
Dear Helen Ann & family..Our condolences on the passing of a great person. I will never forget the times spent a a local establishment opened for the super bowl and he would always go to the back kitchen for something to eat and once at an unforgettable moment came back with a mixture of bean soup and b-b-q. when asked just what he had, he replied a new dish and it's called the not missing whats on tv because you had to go back for the other stuff. That and a lot of other memories recalled in the article written by Sam Matta in the Republican Hearld. He surely will be missed, Dot & Ray Wisno
JoAnn and Bob Kershaw
December 13, 2009
Helen and Family. So sorry for your loss. Joe was a great guy. He always made Bob feel so welcome when we visited family in PA. That means a lot to someone visiting his wife's hometown for the first time (and many times after that) Joe was just that kind of nice guy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ed Thomas
December 13, 2009
Helen and Family. So sorry for your loss. Joe will be remembered for his love for children at Christmas time. He was a good friend. Shared lots of laughs at the Amvets. May God grant him peace. God Bless You All.
Joe & Peg Rejent
December 13, 2009
To all the Mikita family. Our sincere condolences on the great loss of your husband, father, grandfather and brother. We have great memories of Joe and his brothers growing up in Shenandoah and contributing so much to the community and being great neighbors on Virginia Avenue up the Shenandoah Heights. Our prayers are with you at this time.
Rose Klocek
December 12, 2009
Helen Ann and Family, Our deepest sympathy goes out to you during this time. I remember babysitting all 5 boys. Alfie, Billy, Ronnie, Frankie and your beloved Joe when they were just little boys. I loved Joe's parents Alfreda and George. Sincerely, Rose Macker Klocek and Family
Cookie & Gary Howard
December 11, 2009
Helen Ann and family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Joe certainly brought smiles to everyone he met especially during the holiday season. When I heard the news my first thought was of him many years ago, visiting the kids (Kim, Nick & Gina) at my Mom's in Frackville Christmas Eve it made our Christmas even more special. May your sorrow be comforted by so many wonderful memories.
Joe Sr.,Joe Jr., and Lisa Link
December 11, 2009
To the Mikita family. Joe will always be in our hearts forever.He will be sadly missed by all. You all are in our hearts and our prayers. We will never forget Santa Clause coming to our house on the week of Christmas or Joe umpiring baseball games. Memories last a lifetime. Thanks Joe for the memories
Joe Williams
December 11, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bill Stauffer
December 11, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
December 11, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. I have many memories of him as santa along with photographs and stories of him to pass along to my own children.
Amanda Aggon and family
Nina Bindie
December 11, 2009
Helen Ann, Mark, Joe, Michelle and Nicholoas,
I am very sorry for your loss, words cannot express what a great/wonderful guy Joe was. I will forever remember him coming to visit at my gramams house as Santa. My families thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of need.
- Nina Bindie and Family
Paula Jo Hornberger
December 11, 2009
Mikita family,
I am so sorry for your loss. May God give you comfort in knowing that Joe is peacefully with Him in Heaven. Joe was my favorite Santa Claus! He has forever blessed those of us who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Paula Jo (Lawson) Hornberger and family
Bill and Marion Moyer
December 11, 2009
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We had the pleasure of having your husband/dad for many years stop at our house as Santa for our children. He was a great man and touched many lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Joe and Missy Lombardo
December 11, 2009
The Mikita Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow, Joe will be missed by all. He had the "talent" of making everyone feel the moment. Take care.
Charles Cherneski
December 10, 2009
My deepest condolences to you. Joe was special. He will not only be missed By family but all the people he touched. He will be rememberd by all.
JOHN&BARB SZCZYGLAK
December 10, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Rick, Donna & Derrick Donchak
December 10, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Frank & Dianne Vatalare
December 10, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Ed Fetterolf
December 10, 2009
My condolences to you and your family. Sorry for your loss.
Alex Kalinich & Carol Cadau-Kalinich
December 10, 2009
To Mark and Family:
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your Dad. Shenandoah has lost one of it's best citizens. The loss of your father is heartbreaking but The wonderful memories that you have can be shared with those of us who remember him as the jolly Santa and jolly person that he was in life. This world needs more people like Joe Mikita, he will be sadly missed by many.
Wegmans Transportation Team
December 10, 2009
Mark & Family,
Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this sorrowful time. May God give you strength to get through this.
Michele Dion
December 10, 2009
To the mikitas family we are so sorry for the lose of joe mikita my cousin we all send you our condolences take care and god bless all of yous.love alway michele Dion from Conn.all the mikitas are in my prays.take care love yous all.
Kelly Examitas
December 10, 2009
Mrs. Mikita, Joey, Mark, Michelle and Nicholas:
Glovers Hill lost another great man this week. Joe will forever be remembered as always having a wave and a smile when he would see you.
Joe never forgot the kids on the hill when he would suit up as one of Santa's many helpers. Santa's visits growing up are one of my childhood memories.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Rick, Kelly (Finn), and Ryan Examitas
Melissa & Amy Scheetz
December 10, 2009
To Mrs. Mikita, Joe, Mark and Michelle we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you all. If you need anything please give us a call.
Dottie & Mickey Redmond
December 10, 2009
Dear Helen Ann, Joe, and Mark, We will always remember Joe with a smile in our hearts. Joe would lighten up any room when he walked in. Our prayers and memories are with you at this time. With loving thoughts,
Dottie and Mickey Redmond
December 10, 2009
Mikita Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss. May memories bring you comfort.
Marty, Meg, Angela and Breanna Bzura
chris jones
December 10, 2009
Mark and family so sorry to hear about your dad .My families thoughts and prayers are with you.
Donald Huesgen
December 10, 2009
I am sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was an exceptional individual and good friend. I played football with Joe on the Coal Cracker's and we would argue who was the best kicker-I think he was!
Donald Huesgen
December 10, 2009
I was so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was an exceptional individual with so many talents. I played with Joe on the Coal Crackers and we would argue who was the best kicker-I think he was!
Maggie Getz
December 10, 2009
Helen Ann, Frank and family,
So sorry to hear about Joe, he was a great man and friend and had a heart of gold. I will always remember how he made me laugh and all our times running the Amvets, God is gonna love him for sure.
John and Ann Lorah
December 10, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
jim&millie eye
December 10, 2009
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Dave, Louise, and Aaron Bekisz
December 10, 2009
Dear Helen Ann, Joe, Mark, and Family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was a great guy and neighbor. I'll always remember all the joy he brought over the years to kids including my son when he played Santa. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. He surely will be missed by many.
December 10, 2009
As a kid, Joe spent a lot of time in our part of town. He was a sweetheart.
In my mind, Joe is forever young, suited up, and kicking the point after a touchdown, while Bernie Gazan beams. Joe's devotion to sports continued for his whole life, but it started when he was just a young boy.
My condolences to his family.
Annette Appollo
Sandy Lynch
December 10, 2009
Helen and family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
December 10, 2009
Misses Mikit, Joe, Mark my deepest sympathy and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Mr. Mikit was truly a great man and he will be missed. May God bless you and your family, and I will keep you in my prayers.
Leo Peck
Ray & Beth Hood (Chonskie)
December 10, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
December 10, 2009
I knew Joe since I was a child. He was a great friend to have for these many years. A great football player and an individual who would go the the extra mile for you. ALL of his brothers are of the same character, loving and caring.
It doesn't seem right for Santa to leave before Christmas. He has made many children happy oh so many. My own children were visited by Santa so many times.
To his family, remember that big jovial man and all the happiness he gave to the world.
Ed Miller Glembockie
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