William Albert Mihalic's Obituary
William Albert Mihalic, age 86, of Amherst passed away at his home Tuesday, September 22, 2015 under the care of hospice and loved ones.
He was born on December 25, 1928 in Lorain, Ohio to Jacob and Julia (nee Markovich) Mihalic. Bill was a graduate of Clearview High School and The Ohio State University, where he earned a B.S. in Education in 1952. He served U.S. Army worked as a radio repairman.
Bill taught high school at Shelby, Clearview, and Admiral King, and during the summers he worked construction. Being of humble means, Bill started his first business with a shovel and determination, actually hand-digging the footer to his first duplex. He went on to build many rental properties, single- family homes and an oil change store. Against the advice of many cynics, he dove into the self-storage business and brought the first self-storage facilities to northeast Ohio. In 1983, he and his wife, Olga, founded the building and property management company, Mihalic Properties Inc. At the age of 72, Bill hung up his concrete boots and retired to an advisory role to spend many winters at his home in Fort Myers, FL
Boating was a passion of Bill’s. He was an active member of the Vermilion Boat Club and served as Commodore in 1986. He navigated the Great Lakes and the Trent Severn Waterway Canal.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church; the Home Builders Association of Lorain County, serving as President, in 1977; the Self Storage Association; the Croatian Club; Toastmasters; Knights of Columbus; Senior Fellowship; Sr. Citizens of Amherst; and began scholarships to benefit graduates of Clearview and Amherst High Schools.
Bill is survived by his wife of two years, Louise (nee Soares), of Fort Myers, FL and originally of Bermuda; his children, Toni (Larry) Watson, of Hudson, Berni (David) Mast, of Avon, and Kathi (Scot) Bartholomew, of Amherst; and grandchildren, Ashley, Austin & Casey Watson, Laura, Chris, Nick & Erica Mast, and Jessica & Mick Bartholomew.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Olga (nee Kimmel), in 2009; parents, Jacob and Julia; and his siblings, Joe, Steve, John, Frank, Mary (Barris), and Tony.
The Mihalic family will receive friends on Monday, September 28, 2015 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Closing prayers will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral center followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Rev. Fr. Michael Denk, Associate Pastor, and nephew, Rev. Fr. George Vrabel, of St. Julie Billiart Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Twp.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Community Foundation of Lorain County, Re: William A. and Olga M. Mihalic Scholarship Fund, 9080 Leavitt Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035 or online at www.peoplewhocare.org
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