Edward John Mika

Edward John Mika, 88, passed away peacefully to be with our Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at his home, surrounded by much love and family. He was born July 22, 1928, in New Alexandria, the son of Jacob and Mary Verminsky Mika. "Love thy neighbor as thyself," is a lesson that is at first taught to us as children, then adolescence and eventually adulthood. While some people only speak these words, there are those who exemplify them through action. Edward Mika was certainly one of these individuals. The youngest of eight children, Ed unselfishly served his country in World War II in the Army, where as a teenager he spent two and a half years in the Pacific Theater. He served neighbors through times of trouble and provided them the bountiful produce from his garden. He also served his friends and family through the countless amounts of gatherings that he hosted over the years. Ed was meticulous about his lawn. Those dear to him will smile remembering how he would have his grandchildren with him riding on the lawnmower on those summer days. These acts of benevolence have had a profound impact on the lives of those who knew and loved him. Ed was self-employed in the natural gas business. He would be the first one to tell you that a lot of this would not have been possible without the love of his life, Lois, who preceded him in death just two months ago. Eddie tirelessly cared for his loving wife and found the strength to be by her side until the moment she passed away to be with our Lord. After 65 years of marriage, it is understandable how one couldn't wait another moment to be reunited with their soul mate. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Mary Mika; his brothers, Adam, Morris, Joseph, Thomas and John; and his sisters, Stella, Margaret and Sophie. With a heavy heart, but with an abundance of love and thankfulness, he is survived by his two daughters, Carlotta (Anthony) Zuback, of Venetia, and Lana (Thomas) Munsell, of New Alexandria. His grandchildren, Misty Dawn (Chris) Damvakaris, Tamara (Jason) Welles, Theresa (Greg) Smaroff and Anthony Zuback Jr., as well as his six great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Cole, Luke, Michael, Alessandra and Ava Carlotta, have been extremely fortunate to have had their grandfather to look up to all these years. Abraham Lincoln once said, "In the end, it is not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years." Ed certainly had a lot of years that were filled to the brim with memories filled with love and he will be deeply missed. A private family viewing will be offered at his home in New Alexandria. P. DAVID NEWHOUSE FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements. Private services will be held in his residence with the Rev. H. Clifton Foster Pastor of Congruity United Presbyterian Church officiating. Entombment will follow in the Twin Valley Chapel Mausoleum in Delmont with full military honors provided by the Blairsville Military Service Group. www.newhousefuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward John Mika, please visit our floral store.