Mike J. Svetich

By Sun Advocate

1918 – 2008 HELPER – Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Mike J. Svetich, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Aug. 5, 2008.
Mike was born May 8, 1918 in Bingham Canyon to Pete and Matilda (Barich) Svetich. At an early age, he moved to Mutual, where he and his four sisters, Mary, Katie, Mildred and Anne, grew up.
When Mike was 12 years old, he met a girl named Dorothy Louise Kilgore for the first time and told her he was going to marry her when they grew up. They were married on Aug. 23, 1941 and raised three children, Betty Jo Ruden, Richard (Terri) Svetich and Debra (Russ) Dull.
Mike was an active, loyal member of the United Mine Workers of America for over 60 years, presiding as secretary for Local 1206 for many years.
He was also a member of the Price Elks Lodge.
Mike will be remembered most for his love of his wife Louise; his dedication to family and his strong work ethic.
Preceded in death by his wife and granddaughter, Dana Lynn Dull. Survived by his children; five grandchildren, Belinda (Scott) Timothy, Randy Ruden, Jennifer (Jerad) Baletka, Kevin Dull and Erik Svetich; seven great grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
The most important thing in Mike’s life was his family. He would always say, “If you ain’t got family, you ain’t got nothin’.”
A memorial service will be Saturday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m., Mitchell’s Funeral Home, 233 East Main Street in Price. Family will be at Mitchell’s one-half hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Helper city cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Helper Mining and Railroad Museum, 294 S. Main, Helper, UT 84526.