MIKELICH, STEVEN GEORGE

Steven George Mikelich passed away Sunday, April 30th at his home in Sonora.  Steve was born July 2, 1951, in Tacoma, Washington, son of Le Dora Mikelich and the late Alfred Mikelich.  He graduated from Santa Clara University for both his BA in History as well as his JD.  Arriving in Sonora 38 years ago, he started his own law practice one year later.  He built that general law practice from the ground up, serving as a public defender for several years, and maintained the same office for decades.  Steve is survived by his wife, Michele; 2 daughters, Katie (Marcel) Baillargeon, and Marjana (David) Ryan; 1 son John (Jamie) Mikelich; 4 grandchildren with 1 on the way; his mother Le Dora; 2 sisters, Carol Kisler and Elisabeth Mckechnie; and 1 brother, Jim Mikelich.

With a prodigious memory, an oft-obscure vocabulary, and a flair for creating cartoon art, Steve’s outer gruffness masked a most considerate and caring core.  His honesty was a defining trait, even returning to a store to  pay for an item the clerk undercharged.  Some of his favorite pursuits involved food, wine, and music.  He loved eating and making excellent food-it was his utmost sign of caring if he cooked for you;  he loved wine and developed a collection he was happy to share; and he loved an eclectic range of music, whiling away the hours listening to his stereo.  Other than Sonora, Italy held Steve’s heart.  He marveled at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome with the highlight of an audience with Pope John Paul II.  The photo of his audience with the Pope hung in his office sharing pride of place with his velvet Elvis.  Steve lived a full life and will be dearly missed.

Heuton Memorial Chapel are handling the arrangements.