George Tom Milekovich

"I'll always remember George as one of the kindest adults on the Cavanaugh Road block"

"I'll always remember the help he provided in raising the girls (Maddie, Gillian and Marion), and how generous he was. He was an amazingly kind person, and will be missed".

"A sad time for you, and all of our families, to be losing your dad, and our family monarch".

These are just a few of the many comments and remembrances of George.

George Tom Milekovich Sr., age 102, of Lansing, Michigan, died peacefully at Burcham Hills Retirement Community, East Lansing, on January 22, 2026, after a short illness in the hospital, and hospice care, afterwards at Burcham Hills. George was born on April 8, 1923, in Campbell, Ohio, to Ivan and Kata (Ivanovic) Milekovich. George was the youngest of six children, of which his brother, Steve, and sister, Mary, were born in Croatia, and he and his other siblings, in Campbell. During his growing years, George lived in the "company houses" of Youngstown Sheet & Tube, which gave him the opportunity of interacting with neighbors from many parts of the U.S., Eastern Europe, and other countries. The Great Depression then brought many hardships and lessons for George and his family.

George attended Campbell Memorial High School, and afterwards, was employed with Youngstown Sheet & Tube. His father deceased in June of 1942, and his mother, in February of 1943. And shortly afterwards, in May of 1943, George enlisted in the United States Navy. He was assigned a duty station on the battleship, U.S.S. West Virginia (BB-48), which was affectionately referred to as the "Wee Vee".

George served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII, and was involved in all of the major battle campaigns engaged with the Imperial Japanese Navy. The West Virginia was among the many ships anchored in Tokyo Bay in September of 1945, for the "Unconditional Peace Treaty" signing with Japan. It was during his time on the West Virginia, that he was introduced to Lureta Rasmussen, of Laingsburg, Michigan, through a "pen pal" correspondence. Their many letters, and later meeting in person, after George was discharged from active duty in October of 1946, resulted in their marriage on February 14, 1947, in Lansing, Michigan. George and Lureta raised four sons in Lansing…James, Anton, Edmund and George Jr. In his first job, George worked a number of years at Jury-Rowe Furniture Company in its warehouse. In 1959, George was hired by Michigan State University, working as a Control Operator, at the university power plant. He retired in 1988 from M.S.U., with 29 years of service.

On February 14, 1997, George and Lureta were blessed to celebrate their "50th" Wedding Anniversary with beloved family, friends, and neighbors. It was later that year, in October, that Lureta passed on. The years afterwards, George spent at the family home in Lansing, before moving in 2019 to Burcham Hills Retirement Community, in East Lansing, Michigan. George's experiences shaped his life…the company houses environment, the Great Depression, and his U.S. Navy years, all contributed to George's character and values, all anchored by his "HEART OF GOLD". He loved everyone he knew, was very proud of his Croatian heritage, service in the U.S. Navy, and was a devoted "Spartan" sports fan.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Kata (Ivanovic) Milekovich, wife, Lureta (Rasmussen) Milekovich, granddaughter, Cheryl (Milekovich) Parshall, brother, Steve (Ann) Milekovic, sister, Mary (George) Zitkovic, sister, Agnes Milekovich, sister, Louise Milekovich, and brother, Joseph Milekovich, along with many brother and sister in-laws, nieces and nephews, special friend, and co-worker Leo Walters.

George is survived by his four sons, James (Deborah) Milekovich, Anton (Mary) Milekovich, Edmund (Cheryl Campbell) Milekovich, George (Annette) Milekovich, grandchildren, Vicki Leonard, James Milekovich Jr., Julie (Brady) Shank, Angelique (Aaron) Potter, Joey (Cherise) Stickle, Kirby (Cheryl-deceased) Parshall, Rick Milekovich, Heidi (Brent) Warren, Kyle Milekovich, Jamie Milekovich, Farrah (Brian) Neal, along with 25 great grandchildren, including Gavin, Ashley, Alyson, Ireland, Avelynn, Samantha, Jessica, Zackary, Matthew, Skylar, Dillion, Collin, Mckenzie, Jacob, Madeleine, Gillian, Marion, Austin, Alexis, Skylar, Ky, Kali, Sophia, Ethan, Lucas, 3 great great grandchildren, including Zackery, Rory, and Willow, along with many nieces and nephews, and cousins, Slavko, Neda and Hrvoje Jeffrey Milekovic, Laurent and Catherine Milekovic, and family.


FOTO: Private