Joseph "Joe" Mika, Sr.
- Resident of Lowell for seven years, Joseph Mika was fatally injured about 8 o'clock Wednesday night in the two truck crash about 200 feet north of Road 6 near the Wicker Park swimming pool as he was driving home from work he had done in Hammond, the family home for 25 years before location in Lowell. Death from injuries that included a skull fracture came soon after his arrived in the emergency room of St. Margaret hospital in Hammond.
The following unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Joe Mika, Sr., 56, Lowell Businessman, Killed in Auto Accident
Lowell and Hammond friends are bereaved by the death of Joseph Mika, Sr., 56, Lowell businessman, who was fatally injured in an accident which occurred about 8 o'clock last night at the intersection of Routes 41 and 6 as he was returning to Lowell.Mr. Mika, who with his son, Joe, Jr., own the Mika Plumbing Shop on Clark Street, had resided here for seven years, coming to Lowell from Hammond where he had lived for 30 years.
The tragedy happened when traffic halted for a stop light and Mr. Mika ran his panel truck into the rear of a semi truck. It is thought that he may have suffered a heart attack for he never drove his truck at excessive speeds and was well acquainted with the road. He sustained no apparent serious cuts and bruises. He was rushed to St. Margaret's hospital in Hammond, where he passed away a short time later.
Survivors include his wife and son Joe, and daughter, Mrs. Hilda Nowak, and one granddaughter.
Funeral arrangements will be made upon the return today of Mrs. Mika, who was visiting in Miami, Fla., when the tragedy occurred. Mrs. Joe Mika, Jr., flew to Miami last night to reveal the sad news to her and accompany her home via plane.
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