John F. Mikovits — Mick, Johnny, Haystacks, Yosemite Sam, Pipesmoker, Popeye — passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on Monday, June 10, 2024. He was born in Coplay, PA on February 25, 1949, to John J. Mikovits and Rose (Lorenz) Mikovits. Mick graduated from Central Catholic High School in Allentown. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy, serving two tours in Vietnam and traveling the world for over 20 years in the U.S. Navy Reserves including with Combat Camera out of Willow Grove Naval Air Station. He had a long and storied career beginning at age 10 with his job at the Miklos beer distributor in Coplay, the proceeds from which were used to purchase a .22. He was most proud of his time at Bethlehem Steel, where he worked for PB&NE Railroad in the locomotive shop until the days of the last cast, and then at Victaulic as a maintenance electrician until he retired. He spent evenings and weekends coaching baseball, soccer, and softball for his kids at the Moore Township Rec Center where he obtained legendary status among many of his children's friends. He had a lifelong interest in the Lehigh Valley's railroads and in his retirement took great joy in volunteering at the National Museum of Industrial History, sorting through the archives and regaling museum guests with his knowledge and stories about the Lehigh Valley's industrial past.

He is survived by his children, Meg Mikovits and John C. Mikovits; grandkids, Jude and Wren Allen; children in-law, Kelly Allen and Erika Farkas; sister, Betty (Mikovits) Kern and husband, Jim; nieces and nephews, Cyndi (Kern) Gregory and Michael, Deb (Kern) Hogan and Ryan, Sue (Kern) Greenplate and Matt; and great nieces and nephews, Keegan and Zoie Gregory, Noah Hogan, and Abigail and Josh Greenplate. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Yolanda Mikovits.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 15th at 10:30 AM at St. Peter's Cemetery in Whitehall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be sent to the National Museum of Industrial History at 602 E 2nd St, Bethlehem, PA 18015.  Online condolences may be offered below.

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