ALLENTOWN – The Lions Club of Allentown has named Stephen Mikulas, a veteran of World War II, to serve as grand marshal of the 2017 Memorial Day parade, scheduled for May 29.
Borough Councilman Robert Strovinsky, who chairs the Parade Committee for the Lions Club, said individuals, groups, organizations and business are invited to participate in the parade. For more information, contact Strovinsky at 732-995-3027.
The parade will start at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street near Allen Drive, proceed south through town and turn left on High Street. Marchers will proceed to the Newell Elementary School where a memorial service will follow the parade.
Mikulas, 92, was born in 1925 in New Sharon at the border of Upper Freehold Township and Robbinsville. He lived on the family farm in Cream Ridge with his four brothers and two sisters. The family grew tomatoes for Campbell’s in Camden, according to information provided by the Lions Club.
Mikulas attended school in Imlaystown and went to high school in Allentown.
He was drafted during World War II and was stationed in Germany on the burial detail. He was honorably discharged.
Following his service, Mikulas worked for Thermoid in Trenton. He was an electrician for most of his life and worked for Carol Electric and retired from the state as an electrician.
Mikulas met and married Dorothy Rivers in 1957 and they lived in the house in which he currently resides on Lakeview Drive. They were married for 23 years and had two children, Carol and Ronald.
Following Dorothy’s passing 1980, he met and married Dorothy Jane Hansen in 1982 and they were married for 22 years.
Mikulas is a life member with 60 years of service with the Hope Fire Company, Upper Freehold Township. He was a member of the Fire Police for 35 years and was the school crossing guard for many years in front of Di Mattia’s in the center of town.
He is a life member with 65 years with American Legion Post 31, Hamilton. Mikulas is a member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Hamilton, and for the past 30 years has been the 50/50 man at the church carnival.