Father, devoted husband, enthusiastic angler, dedicated to service for community and country. You could always count on dependable and resourceful Lou. Until his sudden death, he never stopped. He worked his way through college at Kent State University doing carpentry work. Obtaining an education degree at KSU, he left for Los Angeles where he began his teaching career. With a growing family, the Mikula’s moved back to Ohio where he built his family a home in Painesville, Ohio with the help of his brother and uncle. A backyard pond became a winter gathering spot for ice skating. His daughter’s love of skating gave him the idea to build an ice rink in Akron OH. Cleveland’s NHL team, the Barons practiced at the rink. He enticed Akron resident 1960 Olympic Gold Medalist Carol Heiss Jenkins to come out of retirement and teach at the rink. The rink produced figure skating champions whose legacy continues to this day. He enjoyed hockey and officiated amateur leagues in the Cleveland area until moving to South Carolina. Lou was proud of his achievements in championing vocational education and adult education and seeing the impact of education on his students. In Painesville, OH, he was named teacher of the year in 1968 and coached the high school swim team. He enjoyed aviation and flew single engine land planes. His can-do attitude filtered down to his accomplished adult children who learned at young ages, anything was possible.
Although he was an avid Ohio State football fan, his favorite fishing spot was in Michigan. Each summer many family memories were created while fishing and at the nightly campfire. He relished his involvement with the Grand Strand Saltwater Anglers Association. He loved being part of the annual Flounder Tournament where he would help promote local businesses that contributed to his pride and joy, the raffle. The St. Michael Catholic Church Knight’s of Columbus was another group he enjoyed being part of. Being part of the Murrells Inlet community that he so enjoyed, kept him active and involved to the day he passed away.
His zeal for life lives on with his family. He was predeceased in 2014 by his wife of thirty years, Janet “Jan” Davis Mikula, and grandson Michael; as well as his mother and father. He is survived by his children Maureen (Jim) Richardson, Cynthia Mikula (Larry Campana), Edward (Tricia) Mikula; stepchildren Tim Demming and Shelly Carmack; and eight beautiful grandchildren, Christopher, Samantha, Jacquelin, Patricia, Matthew, Emily, Maxwell, Elizabeth; brother James (Karen) Mikula, sister Helen Bartz; two nieces and his beloved pet dog, Mindy.
He and his loving wife Jan remained active together until their later years and enjoyed activities including biking, swimming, and camping trips in the RV.
Calling hours will be from 6:00-8:00pm Friday, November 27, 2020 at Burroughs Funeral Home, 3558 Old Kings Highway, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.
A funeral mass will be held 10:00am Saturday, November 28, 2020 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 542 Cypress Avenue, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Eulogy will start at 9:45am.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial contributions be made in Lou's name to the Grand Strand Saltwater Anglers Reef Fund, PO Box 15663, Surfside Beach, SC 29587.
Condolences may be made at www.burroughsfh.com
Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet (843.651.1440) is in charge of arrangements.