Michael P Merdich's Obituary
Michael Patrick Merdich, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, October 15, at Franciscan Hospice House in Tacoma. He was 95.
Mike was born in Youngstown, OH, on April 15th, 1928, one of ten sons and daughters of the late John and Anna Pavelco Merdich.
After graduating from Chaney High School in 1947, he served in the US Air Force until October 1952. Mike met his future wife, Catherine, after returning to McChord AFB from duties in Japan and Korea in October 1951. They were married on July 5th, 1952, and made Tacoma their home. They had three children: Mary Catherine (deceased) in 1953, Brian in 1958 and David in 1960.
After his discharge from the Air Force, Mike began working for Sears Roebuck and Co., working part-time while attending St. Martin’s College, then full-time after his graduation in 1957. For the majority of his career at Sears, Mike was the manager of the Furniture Department at the Sears store in Lacey, WA. He retired in 1990.
Mike loved life. He loved working in his back yard, especially if he could enjoy a beer and Bar-B-Q hamburgers when he was done. He loved camping in the summer, and spending Saturday nights with family and
friends, watching comedies on TV or playing cards. He loved his many nieces and nephews, both here, and in Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Texas. And he loved the neighbors’ kids, who became his “adopted” sons and daughters.
More than anything else, Mike loved his family and the life they had together. He loved being a dad, a Father-in-Law, and most of all being a GRANDPA! He looked forward to birthdays and holidays, especially Christmas. He would go all out to make Christmas feel special for the people he loved most.
Mike leaves behind his two sons, Brian and David (Denise), his four grandchildren, Jeffrey (Erika), Brendan, Marit and Breanne, and his great-granddaughters, Taylor and Elizabeth.
Mike was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Catherine, daughter, Mary Catherine, parents John and Anna, brothers John, Peter, Joe, Bill and Walter, and sisters Rose Borton, Pauline Haug, Stephanie Hyrcyk and Janet Palotce.
Family and friends may visit from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Sunday, November 12th, at Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA.
Funeral Services will begin at 10:30 AM, Monday, November 13th, at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 30525 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA.
(There will be a Rosary for Mike in the church at 10:00 AM preceding the service)
A reception will follow the service in the Narthex of the church to celebrate Mike and our memories of him.
Interment will follow at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA., where Mike will be laid to rest next to his wife, Catherine
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