Stephen R. Michalovic, 81, of Philadelphia, Miss., died Dec. 23, 2020, at Okatibbeha Medical Center due to complications of COVID-19. He was born July 17, 1939, to Stephen M. and Elsie (Riban) Michalovic in Chicago.

As a child he attended Sunday school at the Mennonite Home Mission, which later became Union Avenue Mennonite Church. As a result of faithful Sunday school attendance, he was able to participate in the “Fresh Air” program, going to rural Indiana each summer, staying at the home of home of Paul J. and Ruth Miller of Shipshewana, Ind. He accepted Christ as Savior and was baptized at the Home Mission as a teenager. He gave thanks to the Millers for showing him an example of Christian living.

Starting In 1959 he served two years in voluntary service in Kansas City working as a hospital orderly. There he felt the Lord’s call to health care to become a registered nurse. He attended Mennonite School of Nursing in Bloomington, Ill., graduating in 1964. In December 1964 he married Edith Neufeld.

They made their home in Goshen, Ind., while he completed his studies at Goshen College. He worked as a nurse in Walsenburg, Colo., Gallup, N.M., and in 1976 moved to Philadelphia, Miss. For 40 years they were involved with Pearl River Mennonite Church, a Native American ministry.

He liked railroads and trains. He was a train watcher and modeler.

Survivors include his wife, Edith; a son, Mark (Sherri) Michalovic; a daughter, Kay (David) Durant; three sisters, Phyllis Weinhold of Manteno, Ill., Nancy Pena of Victoria, Texas, and Marie Wheeler of North Pekin, Ill.; a brother, Tom Michalovic of Western Springs, Ill.; and two grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Pine Lake Fellowship Camp, Meridian, Miss., or Mennonite Central Committee.