Joseph Steven MIKO

6 FEB 1933 - 3 JUN 2017

• BIRTH: 6 FEB 1933, Canada
• DEATH: 3 JUN 2017, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 2 JUN 1956, Shreveport, Bossier, Louisiana, USA

INDEX

[N16900] Joseph Steve Miko, Jr.
Feb. 6, 1933 - June 3, 2017

SOUTH BEND - Joseph Miko, Jr., “Joe,” departed this world surrounded by loved ones Saturday, June 3rd. Born to Joseph Miko, Sr., and Elizabeth (Vamos) Miko on February 6th, 1933, Joe was the oldest of seven children: Betty (Walt) Modesto of New York, Margit Wiseman of Mishawaka IN, Emery (Rose) of California, John (Daina - deceased), Frank (Nancy), and Mary (Ron) Davis of Michigan. Joe served in the Air Force directly after graduating the then Greene High School. He was stationed in Korea during the Korean War and served as a radio specialist. Once he served his four years, he was ready for the next phase of his life. He always loved adventure, leading to his greatest adventure of all, his marriage of sixty-one years, and five children, with Geneva “Jan” Walker Miko. They married on June 2, 1956, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and moved back to South Bend, Indiana, where they stayed the remainder of his life. He worked in road construction most of his adult life, including Asphalt Engineers, and Reith & Riley, where he was a heavy equipment operator. Besides putting in long hours, Joe managed to farm his land, maintain his apple orchard, become a beekeeper and a member of Michiana Bee Keepers Association, and helped out with his sons' memberships in Boy Scouts of America. Joe leaves behind his loving wife Jan, and their children: Don, (Cindy), Lori, (Pat) Ewing, Rick, Sandy, (Dave) Campbell, Cindy, (Joshua) Polando. Grandchildren: Sara, (Jack) Smith, Amy Ewing, Dan Campbell, Emily Ewing, Ian, Emma, and Ben Polando. His great-grandchildren include: Nate Ewing, Angelo Flores, and Makenna and Keaton Smith. Joe's greatest joy was watching his grandchildren, and later great-grandchildren, play together at family gatherings on his farm. He was notorious for his above the knee tickle torture maneuver when the grandkids sat in “His” chair, and giving scratchy kisses and hugs when he “accidentally” forgot to shave. Even though a stroke took much of Joe's verbal communication away back in 2004, he was still the man his family would love to sit down with for a talk. He was always good for a laugh and would write down his thoughts that he couldn't verbally express. He taught his family that it doesn't take words to be a supportive and loving friend. Joe was a compassionate man who taught his children that one person can make a difference in this world. This in mind, his family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to any of the following organizations: Wounded Warriors, Arbor Day Foundation, World Wildlife Foundation, Pet Refuge, or the Humane Society. We know that our dad would want us to thank all his wonderful caregivers though his medical difficulties, and for the love and care they gave so freely. It is for this, and so much more, that he will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be celebrated at 11:00 am Friday in the Zahoran Funeral Home. Burial with military services will follow at Sumption Prairie Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4-8 Thursday in the funeral home. To leave an online condolence, visit our website www.zahoran.com or our facebook page Zahoran Funeral Home. Published in South Bend Tribune from June 6 to June 7, 2017