Michael John Miklavicic
Friendship, Wis.
March 14, 1989 - July 22, 2012
Michael John Miklavicic, of Friendship, Wis., died July 22, 2012, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison after a boating accident. He was 23.
Michael was born March 14, 1989, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., to John M. and Jane M. (Wolf) Miklavicic. He graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 2008 in the top 10 of his class. Michael also was a gifted athlete, earning all-conference football defense honors his junior year and all-conference offense and defense honors his senior year.
Michael attended taxidermy school and pursued a career in taxidermy in Friendship, where he opened Miklavicic Taxidermy. He also went to Steamboat Springs and worked full time at B&L Quality Taxidermy.
Michael was a free spirit and loved living life to its fullest. He backpacked through Europe and recently returned from a trip to Alaska. He was planning to return to Colorado this August to continue his taxidermy career.
Michael enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, football, hiking, photography, dancing and spending time with his family and friends.
Michael was wise in his endeavors and in the words he shared with others. He valued creativity, passion, loyalty and the ability to work hard and play hard. Michael was fearless and open minded, whether he was skiing the backcountry or encountering unfamiliar places and people. Mike had the perfect combination of strength and sensitivity. His compassion and commitment to putting the well-being of others before his own was shown from birth and until the last moments of life by being a registered organ donor. His family and friends are better people because of the characteristics that he had and developed throughout the years of his life. Michael’s life may have been short in duration, but because of his ability to live in each moment, his life was complete in experience, spirituality and love.
He is survived by his father, John (Debra) Miklavicic, of Friendship, Wis.; his mother, Jane (Marty) Esposito, of Big Bend, Wis.; sisters Shana (Brandon) Wallner, of Friendship, and Alicia (Brett) Franz, of West Milwaukee, Wis.; step-brothers Chad (Terri) Black, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Eric Esposito, of Milwaukee, Wis.; stepsister Angie (Ryan) Anderson, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; grandparents John and Thelma Miklavicic, of Friendship, Wis., and Robert and Mae Wolf, of West Allis, Wis.; numerous nephews; and a niece.
A funeral was held July 27, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friendship. The Rev. Charles Graves officiated. Interment will be at Mt. Repose Cemetery in Friendship.
Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.
