Joseph William Zikewich Sr.

Joseph William Zikewich, Sr.; of Lake Orion; March 19, 2014; age 90; Joe is survived by his loving wife Alice (Cook) Zikewich of 67 years; son, Bill (Linda) Zikewich of Traverse City; daughter, Joan (Tom) Fisher of Lake Orion; grandchildren, Michael Zikewich, Lisa (Dave) Hendrix, and Ben & Carrie Fisher; great grandchildren, Mason, Owen, & Ethan Hendrix; and sister, Shirley Zikewich. Preceded in death by parents, Wasil & Myrtle Zikewich; and siblings, Jacque Winn and Helen Stanford. Joe was born in Newark, NJ in 1924 to parents Wasil & Myrtle Zikewich. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served on the U.S.S. Lexington during WWII when it was struck by a Japanese kamikaze plane, killing many of his shipmates. Joe is the creator of the Peacoat Memorial in Lake Orion, which represents his dream to honor the men who lost their lives that day, and all other U.S. servicemen and women who died and were buried at sea. Mr. Zikewich was also a lifelong member of the V.F.W. Post #334 in Oxford. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at the V.F.W. Post #334 (American Legion),130 E. Drahner Road, Oxford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Perpetual Care Fund of the Orion Veteran's Memorial (www.orionveteransmemorial.com). Arrangements have been entrusted to SPARKS-GRIFFIN FUNERAL HOME, Lake Orion. Reflections may be shared by visiting www.sparksgriffin.com