Miodrag Mikalacki Obituary
Miodrag Mikalacki passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at age 86 surrounded by his loving family. Miodrag was born on April 4, 1930 in Banat, Serbia. He was the second oldest, and first born son, of Dragoljub and Paulina Mikalacki who had four children. At a young age, Miodrag became known for his physical strength, sharpness, and charm. He worked as a blacksmith in his town where he met his wife Nada. Miodrag and Nada were married in Basaid where Nada also gave birth to their only son, Dragomir, in 1951. Ever ambitious, Miodrag sought a better life with greater opportunities for his family. In 1964, Miodrag and his family moved to the United States settling in Detroit, Michigan near Nada’s father. There, Miodrag held several jobs at the same time working both as a butcher and a steel mill operator. Greatly admiring the business owners he worked for, he dreamt of owning his own business one day. In 1974, after his son graduated from Michigan State University, Miodrag, Nada, and Dragomir ventured to Mesa, Arizona to buy a motel on Main Street. Miodrag and Nada entrusted Dragomir to run the motel for one year while they continued working their factory jobs in Detroit. After a successful first year, Miodrag and Nada left Detroit for good and proudly joined their son Dragomir in Mesa. In 1975, Miodrag and Nada gained a daughter-in-law, Slavica. The family worked together tirelessly at the motel where they enjoyed welcoming visitors. In 1979, Miodrag was blessed with his first grandchild, granddaughter Snezana. Three years later, they welcomed their second grandchild, granddaughter Gordana. Both granddaughters enjoyed working alongside their grandparents at the motel and other businesses that the family eventually owned. In working together as a family, Miodrag’s granddaughters saw his business savvy in action, which they admired. Not only did the girls learn about business from their grandfather, they also saw the importance of helping fellow friends as Miodrag had a very big heart. In 1997, Miodrag’s family sold their largest motel and officially retired. This allowed him to play chess more often and travel to Serbia, which still pulled at his heartstrings. In 2006, Miodrag’s health began to decline as he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Still, ever physically strong, Miodrag continued to live another 10 years with the care and support of his loving wife, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters. He and Dragomir continued to foster their bond going everywhere together just as they had before Miodrag’s diagnosis in 2006. In 2014, Miodrag’s granddaughter Gordana and her husband Dragan welcomed daughter Eva Marina making Miodrag a great-grandfather. Miodrag leaves behind his wife Nada, son Dragomir, daughter-in-law Slavica, granddaughters Snezana and Gordana, grandson-in-law Dragan, great-granddaughter Eva, sisters Sofija and Stevanka and niece Olja in Serbia, brother-in-law Aleksandar, sister-in-law Shirley, priljatelji Vera and Rade Avramovic, priljateji Ciro and Rada Rubezic, and countless, family, Kumovi, and friends in the United States as well as Serbia. Visitation will take place at the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church at 4436 East McKinley Street in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday, May 9th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Pomen (memorial) service at 7:00 pm. The funeral service will also be held at the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church on Tuesday, May 10th at 10:00 am. Following the funeral service, there will be a procession to the Mountain View Cemetery, 7900 East Main Street in Mesa, Arizona for a graveside service. A Daca (mercy meal) will follow the graveside service at the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church’s Social Hall. Miodrag touched so many with his kindness and wit, which will be missed by any and all who knew him. May Miodrag’s memory be eternal.