Obituary of Jean Mikuta

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jean Ann Mikuta (Stokes), age 89, on November 6, 2023, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, following a brief illness. Jean was born to Roy and Della Stokes on February 14, 1934, in Frankfort, Indiana. She graduated from Frankfort High School in 1952, then attended Indiana University, where she met her future husband, Joel John Mikuta, who went on to be a career Army officer. They later married when he was a Second Lieutenant, in a military style wedding June 1956.

In January 1959, they welcomed their first child, Joel John Mikuta, Jr. while living at Fort Benning, Georgia. Later, the family moved to Germany when Joel was assigned to the Berlin Brigade during the construction of the Berlin Wall. In August 1960, the Mikutas welcomed a second son, Jarrel Jay Mikuta. Over the next decade, in typical military fashion, the Mikuta family moved several times. In addition to living in Germany, they lived in Georgia at Fort Benning; while her husband was in Vietnam, she moved herself and her sons to Indianapolis, Indiana, to be near family; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Alexandria, Virginia; Monterey, California; and Fort Lee, Virginia. Finally, in 1978, the family settled in Enterprise, Alabama, when her husband was assigned to the Army Aviation Safety Center on Ft. Rucker. In 1976, Jean proudly finished her bachelor’s degree in business administration while living in Virginia. She worked in personnel management, counseling students at Chapman College. In Enterprise, she became a realtor at Century 21 Realty and in 1990 she joined the Million Dollar Club. She and Joel moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 2021 to be closer to family.

Jean was an active member of Green Hill Presbyterian Church in Enterprise, Alabama for many years. Jean and Joel were members of the Boll Weevil Travel Club, and they traveled to many places, including Egypt, the Caribbean and many destinations in Eastern Europe. Other than traveling, Jean's favorite pastimes were visiting family, writing letters, playing golf, playing card games and dominos, and watching golf and football on TV. She was a good mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and army wife. Kind, caring, generous, and supportive are words that best described her. She was also a fighter who was always there to protect family interests.

Jean was recently preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, COL. (retired) Joel J. Mikuta, Sr., on October 28, 2023, and her beloved son Jarrell Jay Mikuta on October 19, 2023. She was also preceded in death by her parents Roy and Della Stokes, her brothers Jim Stokes and Gilbert Stokes and her sister Britta Sheets (Stokes). She is survived by her son Joel J. Mikuta Jr. (Laurie) and granddaughter Georgia Mikuta, of New Port Richey, FL; her daughter-in-law Fran Mikuta, and grandsons Connor Mikuta and Kevin Mikuta, all of St. Petersburg, FL., and several nieces and nephews.

A private, joint graveside service for both Joel and Jean Mikuta, was held at Bushnell National Cemetery recently. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice. Cards may be sent to the family in care of Joel Mikuta, Jr., 11436 Weaver Hollow Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654.