Jacqueline M. Mikusko

Jacqueline Marie Mikusko went to her heavenly home on March 14, 2024, one day before her 89^th birthday after a brief illness.

Jackie Darland was born on March 15, 1935, the firstborn of Bernard and Rose Marie Darland’s 15 children. She grew up and lived the majority of her life in Merrill. After graduating from Sacred Hearth Catholic School, she moved to Saginaw where she worked as a coding clerk for Saginaw Transit. Even in her later years, she remembered all the codes and to whom they were assigned.

She returned to Merrill where she married the love of her life, Joe Mikusko on September 7, 1957. He predeceased her in March of 2020 after 62 years of marriage. After Joe’s retirement, Jackie and Joe spent many happy years just doing life together. They were totally content just having morning coffee on their patio swing and eating out at their favorite restaurants. She loved to ride her bike and walk for miles. She was an avid reader. She was a true homemaker, who canned, baked bread and created hearty meals nightly for her family. Jackie loved decorating for the holidays, especially Halloween. This love of holidays was passed to her children and grandchildren who carry on the tradition to this day. She loved music (country, bluegrass, rock, and the Bee Gees; the radio was always playing in the house on Melze Street) and watching Polka Joe on Farm TV. Her grandchildren loved to visit in Merrill, riding bikes, and playing basketball on their “court.” She traveled with Joe to Kentucky to blue grass festivals. A memorable trip for Jackie and Joe was to Molokai, Hawaii to visit their son Joel, who was a teacher on the island, and they made many trips to Texas. With her large family, camping every summer was an annual event. She was a lifelong member of St. John XXIII Catholic Church. Most of her life was filled with her children and their activities.

With Joe, she devoted her life to raising their 7 children: Lori (Michael) Reichard, Chris (Tammy) Mikusko, Melisa (David) Erbe, Lisa (Bret) Baker, Craig (Tammy) Mikusko, Matthew Mikusko, and Joel (Vicki) Mikusko.

Jackie leaves behind 9 grandchildren: Jordan (Chad) Boyce, Seth (Haley Chapleski) Reichard, Marissa Mikusko, Reanna Mikusko, Joshua (Fiancé Abbi) Erbe, Jonah (Brooke) Erbe, Tony Seleski, Hillary (Corey) Kandow, and Terra Seleski; as well as three great-grandsons, Liam and Drew Erbe and Camden Boyce.

Along with her parents, six siblings predeceased her: Robert, David, Rosemary, Thomas, Yvonne (Bonnie), and Kimberly.

She also leaves behind 8 siblings: Joyce (Russ) Moulton, Bernie (Ann) Darland, Jim Darland, Marilyn Fleming, Elaine (Tom) Caulfield, Karen (Chris) Simpson, Cathy Dougherty, and Michelle (Jon) Radin.

Jackie devoted her entire life to her family. She is now reunited with her loving husband, Joe, something she anticipated with great joy.

Jackie will be remembered by her children as a selfless and loving mother who created a safe and happy home in which to grow and thrive. She will be forever missed and never forgotten.

A Memorial Liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at St. John XXIII Parish, Merrill (Sacred Heart) 419 S Merrill Rd, Merrill, MI 48637, where friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service. Rev. Fr. Michael F. Steltenkamp will officiate the service with interment to follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Please visit www.casefuneralhome.com to share thoughts and memories of Jacqueline.