Fr.John M Mika Obituary (1945

In Loving Memory Fr. John M. Mika A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 20, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Friend with Fr. David Bourek, Msgr Raymond Hain and Msgr Mark Huber officiating. Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. preceding the Mass at the church. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2pm-9pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend and one hour prior to the Rosary at the Church. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Friend. Memorials are directed in care of the family. Father John Melvin Mika was born April 29, 1945 in Spalding, Nebraska to Raymond Melvin and Mary Catherine (O'Neill) Mika, the first of six children and passed away on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 67 years 3 months and 17 days. In 1946, his family moved to Lincoln, then to Friend in 1948 where he attended Friend Public School, graduating with the Class of 1963. John furthered his education at St. John's Seminary in Elkhorn for two years and St. Paul's Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. John was ordained as a priest on May 6, 1972 in Lincoln and a celebratory Mass was held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friend. After his ordainment, he served St. John's Parish, St. Teresa's Parish and St. Joseph's Parish in Lincoln. Then he served three parishes at once, St. William's in Wellfleet, St. James in Curtis, and St. Joseph's in Farnam. He also served St. George's in Morse Bluff and Sacred Heart in Cedar Hill. Due to complications of diabetes, he underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant in 1993. His recovery and continuing health problems made him unable to have his own parish. He was an avid reader with a large collection of books. He composed a variety of music including symphonies and ragtime. Even with his failing health, however, his love of music and his faith remained important to him. He is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gene and Marcia Mika, Lincoln, Paul and JoDee Mika, Exeter, sisters and brothers-in-law, Fran and Keith Arterburn, Idaho Falls, ID, Susie and Norman Nichols, Exeter, Teresa Nicholson, Dorchester, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Kenneth Nicholson.