Daniel G. Mikula

He was born Oct. 31, 1947, the son of the late Ignatius and Victoria (Dziduch) Mikula.

A lifelong Dunkirk resident, Dan was a graduate of Cardinal Mindszenty High School, Class of 1965. He was employed with Service Print Inc. in Dunkirk, until his retirement in 2012.

After graduation, Dan was drafted into the U.S. Army where he proudly served in the Vietnam War from 1967-69. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Infantry and a Purple Heart recipient.

His community memberships included the Dunkirk Falcon Club, Moniuszko Social Club, First Ward Falcon Club, Dunkirk Volunteer Firemen Exempts Club, Kosciuszko Polish Home, John T Murray VFW Post 1017, and the Dunkirk Lakeside Club. He could often be found in riveting cribbage matches with his good friends Dean and Egor where, of course, he “never got a cut”. In addition, Dan was also past commander of Dunkirk Disabled American Veterans.

One of Dan’s greatest passions was bowling and he enjoyed a fantastic career both locally and in national tournaments. Dan (Pockets, as he was affectionately known) was a member of the Dunkirk Bowling Association Hall of Fame. In the 1970’s and 80’s he was also a frequent member of the select Chautauqua County North/South team featuring a collection of the area’s top bowlers. He bowled his first 300 game on his 50th birthday. Some of his fondest memories were of the trips he took with family and friends to the yearly ABC National Open Championships across the country where he could showcase his trademark “guillotine” chop.

Along with bowling, his other interests included baseball, where he was involved as a coach for both Dunkirk Little League Baseball and Softball, hunting and fishing with his father, and following his favorite sports teams, the Baltimore Orioles, Buffalo Bills, and any team his children and grandchildren were on.

Dan is survived by his wife of 34 years, Linda, whom he married on March 22, 1986; three children: Kevin (Julie) Mikula of Fredonia, Deanne (Bill) Schwartz of Williamsville and Janell (Bruce) Bizub of Raleigh, N.C.; stepchildren John Bogulski of Dunkirk, Scott (Michelle) Bogulski of Forsyth, G.A., and DaniLyn (Dale) Parr of Orchard Park; grandchildren Maggie and Valerie Mikula, Connor, Christian, and Olivia Schwartz, Drew and Sydney Bizub, Madison and Ryker Bogulski, Richard and Andi Pinkoski; He is also survived by his brother Edward (Terry) Mikula of North Las Vegas, N.V., and sisters Justine (Peter) Korbar of Joliet, I.L., Carol (Allen) Etzel of Ocala, F.L., and Cindy (Al) Bradley of Munford, T.N. Dan is also survived by his former spouse, Judith Mikula, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would also like to extend it’s heartfelt appreciation to Hospice, especially Dan’s caregiver Carol, whom he greatly adored.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother John (Jack) Mikula.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. in Blessed Mary Angela Parish, Church of St. Hedwig. Full military honors will be accorded by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council Honor Guard. There will be no prior visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions be made in Dan’s memory to Disabled American Veterans. A Memorial Celebration in his honor will be held at a later. Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.