Dr. John Francis Michkovits
September 19th, 1939 - February 7th, 2024
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Dr. John's Obituary
Dr. John Francis Michkovits, 84, of South Haven, passed away peacefully in Farmington, Connecticut on February 7, 2024.
Visitation for John will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church at 67885 8th Ave. South Haven, Michigan 49090 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. Father Rob Cornelison will officiate. Military Honors for John will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
To view John’s personal webpage please visit: www.starksfamilyfh.com.
John was born September 19, 1939, in Dowagiac, Michigan to Pete and Sophie Michkovits. At the age of 4, John entered Kindergarten in Dowagiac. He participated in Boy Scouts of America achieving the rank of Eagle Scout with a Silver Palm. At Dowagiac Central High School, John played the coronet as a member of the band and marched at the 1956 Orange Bowl. In 1961, John earned a BA in Psychology from Kalamazoo College where he was a member of the band, the Century Forum, and played basketball. He went on to the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School, was a member PSI Omega Fraternity, and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1965. After graduation, John enlisted and served in the US Army for three years as Captain. He was assigned to the 279th Station Hospital in Berlin, Germany, and became the Chief Dental Officer at Spandau Prison where he attended to Hermann Hesse and other Nazi war prisoners. John traveled extensively in Europe and returned to Michigan in 1968.
Wanting to be near Lake Michigan and finding an opportunity to open a practice, he settled in South Haven. He found a space above McDonald’s Drug Store (formerly Dr. Musser’s) and, with the help of Bob Alm, opened a practice in January of 1969. In 1975 he built an office at Broadway, Dykman and Williams Street and practiced there until 1999. John also was a part of the Episcopal Epiphany Church where he served as a vestry, senior warden, usher, and greeter. He worked on the Board and Volunteered for We Care along with being a previous member of the South Haven Yacht Club.
John was a member of Michigan and American Dental Associations; Kalamazoo Valley Dental Society; and, the Academy of General Dentistry. He served as a volunteer and board member at We Care, I.N.C. and was a previous member of the South Haven Yacht Club. John enjoyed international travel, (he traveled to all continents); Alpine skiing; and, he kept current on world news and events.
He is survived by his best friend, Liz Jeltema; his children, Claire of Denver, CO; and, Nicholas (Daniela) Michkovits of New Bern, NC.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Sophie Michkovits; son Mark Michkovits; and, sister Helen Sanders of SC. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel - Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
Visitation for John will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church at 67885 8th Ave. South Haven, Michigan 49090 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. Father Rob Cornelison will officiate. Military Honors for John will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
To view John’s personal webpage please visit: www.starksfamilyfh.com.
John was born September 19, 1939, in Dowagiac, Michigan to Pete and Sophie Michkovits. At the age of 4, John entered Kindergarten in Dowagiac. He participated in Boy Scouts of America achieving the rank of Eagle Scout with a Silver Palm. At Dowagiac Central High School, John played the coronet as a member of the band and marched at the 1956 Orange Bowl. In 1961, John earned a BA in Psychology from Kalamazoo College where he was a member of the band, the Century Forum, and played basketball. He went on to the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School, was a member PSI Omega Fraternity, and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1965. After graduation, John enlisted and served in the US Army for three years as Captain. He was assigned to the 279th Station Hospital in Berlin, Germany, and became the Chief Dental Officer at Spandau Prison where he attended to Hermann Hesse and other Nazi war prisoners. John traveled extensively in Europe and returned to Michigan in 1968.
Wanting to be near Lake Michigan and finding an opportunity to open a practice, he settled in South Haven. He found a space above McDonald’s Drug Store (formerly Dr. Musser’s) and, with the help of Bob Alm, opened a practice in January of 1969. In 1975 he built an office at Broadway, Dykman and Williams Street and practiced there until 1999. John also was a part of the Episcopal Epiphany Church where he served as a vestry, senior warden, usher, and greeter. He worked on the Board and Volunteered for We Care along with being a previous member of the South Haven Yacht Club.
John was a member of Michigan and American Dental Associations; Kalamazoo Valley Dental Society; and, the Academy of General Dentistry. He served as a volunteer and board member at We Care, I.N.C. and was a previous member of the South Haven Yacht Club. John enjoyed international travel, (he traveled to all continents); Alpine skiing; and, he kept current on world news and events.
He is survived by his best friend, Liz Jeltema; his children, Claire of Denver, CO; and, Nicholas (Daniela) Michkovits of New Bern, NC.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Sophie Michkovits; son Mark Michkovits; and, sister Helen Sanders of SC. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel - Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
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