Obituary for:
Paul L. “Whitey” Mikanik
Age: 75
Paul L. “Whitey” Mikanik, 75 of Tomahawk Drive, Negley, OH died in the Emergency Room at East Liverpool City Hospital on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 following a brief illness. He was born in Follansbee, WV, a son of the late Paul F. and Teresa Testa Mikanik.
Living most of his life in this area, for 31 years, he taught at Wellsville High School as a drafting teacher. Following his retirement in 1987, he delivered parts for Bob Gresh and Lee Dull of Calcutta Auto Parts. Mr. Mikanik was a graduate of Follansbee High School, attended the University of Pittsburgh and received his Bachelors of Science in Education from West Virginia University. While attending the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University, he played football on scholarships and was drafted by several professional football franchises, but chose to become a school teacher. Serving with the US Army during Korea, he was stationed in Germany. Whitey was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.
His wife, Bonnie Brenner Mikanik, whom he married on September 4, 1982; two sons: John and Kim Mikanik of Shelby, MI and Matthew Mikanik of Negley, OH; one daughter: Janice and Tod Parker of Columbus, OH as well as six grandchildren: Alex, Lane and Stan Mikanik and Paige, David and Andrew Porter survive him.
Besides his parents, a sister: Mary Francis Scott preceded him in death.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Calcutta Chapel of the Martin MacLean Altmeyer Funeral Homes on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Paul Sturm officiating.
The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home in Calcutta two hours prior to the service.
Always a smile, instead of a frown,
Always a hand, when one is down,
Always true, thoughtful and kind,
Wonderful memories he left behind.
And when old times we oft recall,
That’s when we miss him most of all.
Bonnie – So sorry for your loss
Bonnie,
I am so sorry to hear about Whitey. Please know that during this difficult time that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie,
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband Whitey. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care and god bless you.
Bob
Dear all, thank u for all ur thoughts n prayers. Kim and I are n have not been together for over 10 years. I am engaged to my beautiful Peggy Sue and we have a 3year old Benjamin Boy. Thank You. John
Dear Bonnie and Matt,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Whitey was a very special person and he will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. May we all feel comfort knowing that Whitey is our angel above; always and forever watching over us. Loving you always, Vicki, Courtney, Ryan and Christian
Dear Bonnie,
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your husband and best friend. We will not be able to attend the calling hours because of a family commitment, but please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your son. Also, we have notified Jo and Allan in Aruba and they will be getting in touch with you at a more appropriate time. Let the comfort of family and friends help you through this difficult time.
Fondly,
Jon & Pam Gerace
Dear Bonnie, John, Jan, and Matt:
Please accept our deep condolences over the loss of Whitey. He was truly a unigue and wonderful person. I will never forget how much he loved Bonnie, and how he was an eager taster of all the dishes Bonnie and I prepared for him over the years. He encouraged everyone toward their best and I can see why he was thought of as a great teacher. We will miss him in our lives.
Love, Marti, aka Marita and Edward Novicky
Dear family members, especially John who I had in Class ,
Your father was the most outstanding person I have ever been associated with in my 40 years of teaching and coaching. He was there for me when I got my first start in coaching and helped me through so much. He will be greatly missed I know by all family members, but I too will miss him dearly. What a meantor, friend, and teaching buddy. God Bless him and I know he will be in charge of coaching God’s team.
Dear John and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. He will be remembered with a smile. My husband Steve had him as a teacher, football & track coach. He learned so much from him. He would go out of his way to help and talk to you. He has many fond memories of your Dad. Many will make you laugh! It was great seeing you at the reunion and talking about your Dad. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
DEAR MATT, SO SORRY TO HERE ABOUT YOUR DAD. YOUR A STRONG AND BRAVE YOUNG MAN, A GREAT NEPHEW TO ME. BE STRONG FOR YOUR MOM. LOVE AUNT TERRI
Dear Mikanik Family especially John, my high school friend and classmate and Bonnie my tennis coach:
I was so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. I remember what a nice man he was and how he always had a smile for everyone. They say every living soul leaves their own special mark on the world, never to be forgotten… I know this is true of Paul.
With deepest sympathy,
Deeply sorry for the loss of my cousin, Whitey. I have fond memories of my aunt Teresa, uncle Paul, Whitey and France. They had the best parties. We all looked up to Whitey as a star. May his “star” shine brightly as we mourn his passing. My sympathy to you all.
Family,
To my friend John and his family,My sincerest condolences.
Paul
God speed old friend
He will live on in the hearts of everyone who loved him, and there are many who did. We are so sorry for your loss.
Hello,
I was a drafting student of MR Mikanik during my freshman and sophmore years 1976 & 1977 at Wellsville High School. On certain days throughout the week, I would pick up our lunches after class. He liked his fish sandwiches :^
I had great respect and admiration for him.
May he rest in peace and may his family and friends take comfort in knowing so. And peace be with the family and friends.
Sincerely,
Don Mattern JR Class of 1980
& Comcast Cable Tech.
I am so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. I knew him from delivering parts for Bob. He always made me feel like he thought I was special. He even played his harmonica for me once or twice. I know Heaven is a better place because he is there playing music for all there. I will miss him.
I am so sorry! I wish that I was closer so that I could give you guys a hug! You are all in my thoughts. I will always remember my Uncle Whitey and his smile. He was a great man. I love you Matt and Aunt Bonnie. Please take care! Remember, we are all here if you need anything at all.
I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Mikanik’s passing. He was a great man who was a great teacher, but more importantly, he was a man that would sit and take his time to talk to you about almost anything. I will always remember him. I pray for all of you at this time.
Sincerely,
Tony Infanti
I graduated in 1976 and Whitey was one of my teachers and my football coach. He always made me smile. Sorry for your lose.
John and Janice, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He was a great man who will be missed by all who knew him. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with both of you at this sad time in your lives.
Nancy Sell and family
Matt –
We are so sorry for your loss. Your Mom and family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Valarie, Charlie, and Emily Ewing
So very very sorry to hear of cousin “Whitey’s” passing. I can remember looking up to him in the early 50’s with much pride and admiration. I remember watching him play football in high school for Follansbee High School and the great football star he was. Another member of our family has passed and I will never forget him for as long as I live. My prayers go out to his family for a gigantic loss to their family.
To All Family Member’s,
Paul was a great teacher who taught me more than drafting. He was the type of man you could talk with and get straight answers. May God Bless Paul and his family and appreciate the fact that God gained another Angel and he won’t be forgotten here on Earth. Please accept our condolences and may God console you all.
Uncle Whitey was always smiling. As a child, I spent many summer days at Whitey and Bonnie’s house. I have many great memories of Uncle Whitey.
We were so sadden to hear of Whiteys passing. He was truly a good and loving man. We will always remember his great smile and caring ways. He was always a good friend to our family. Our prayers go out to the entire family. In deepest Sympathy,
Ken & Alicia Ladouceur