Donald L. Mikeska

Donald L. Mikeska died on April 4, 2021 (Easter Sunday) in Hockessin, DE after a short illness. He was 90 years old. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patricia, sons Kurt and Jeffrey, daughter Gretchen, daughter-in-law Erica, and grandchildren, Iris and Mason.

Don was born in NY, NY and raised in Westfield, NJ with his brother Alan by his parents Dr. L.A. Mikeska and Olga Krepela Mikeska (all pre-deceased). He graduated from Lafayette College (Allentown, PA) in 1952 with a degree in business administration and Army ROTC. While at Lafayette, an all-male college at the time, he attended its 1949 St. Valentine’s dance hosted for the all-women’s Easton Hospital School of Nursing (Bethlehem, PA) where he met the love of his life, Patricia Donches. They were married in 1952. After a short honeymoon, they headed to Alabama for Officers’ training before Don left for the Korean War. He returned a 1^st Lieutenant and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1960. Don was proud of his military service and in later years would recount war-time stories to interested listeners.

After returning from Korea, Don and Pat began their married life in Staten Island, NY, where he worked in finance in the New York and New Jersey area, eventually settling into banking, with Patricia working as a registered nurse and school nurse. By 1961, the couple had moved to Metuchen, NJ where they raised their children and lived for 57 years before arriving in Delaware to be closer to their son Kurt. In addition to being a wonderful husband, Don was an attentive father involved in Little League, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts of America.

Don was an avid surf fisherman and he and Pat raised a family of beach enthusiasts, so when the opportunity to purchase a beach house presented itself in 1991, they purchased a home at Higgins Beach, Scarborough, Maine which became their favorite respite. Many lovely summers were spent at Higgins Beach, fishing, beachcombing, and attending social events hosted by the Higgins Beach community. He enjoyed golfing with his beach buddies, reading 20^th century history on long summer afternoons, and touring Downeast Maine with Patricia and their many friends. Don was famous for his chili and martinis that were guaranteed to liven up any Higgins Beach occasion.

In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund https://delawareveteranstrustfund.com/donate