Died August 9, 2024
LAKE LEELANAU – Frank J. “Mike” Mikos, 91, of Lake Leelanau, passed away Friday, August 9, 2024, at Medilodge of Leelanau with his family at his side.
Mike was born November 12, 1932, in Chicago the son of Frank Sr. and Victoria (Schwemin) Mikos. On June 3, 1984, in Grosse Ile, MI, he married Lois (Greenshields) Mikos who survives.
He possessed a strong love of art at an early age. When Mike developed measles, and was confined to a dark room, he brought in his drawing materials so he could work in the dark. As a young man, his interest in art was matched by his interest in athletics, leading him to play semi-professional hockey, baseball and several other sports. Mike graduated high school and attended the Chicago School of Fine Arts. He later enrolled at Art Center School of Design in Los Angeles, where he earned his degree in fine arts. Mike served in the US Army’s 9th Infantry Division stationed in Germany for two years; and traveled to several European countries as part of his artistic assignments.
He created paintings for the U.S. Air Force which were exhibited in the Smithsonian Institute and are now part of the permanent collection. He painted for the Air Force Academy and created a series of portraits of minority leaders in the Federal Government. Mike’s floor to ceiling sports figure paintings were prominently displayed in the bar/lounge of the Pontiac Silverdome, until it was demolished.
He loved racecars and had pit press passes to The Indianapolis 500 races and The Detroit Grand Prix, where he photographed the driver’s and their cars. It helped that the original Grand Prix track in Detroit included The RenCen, where Mike had his studio.
In Detroit’s Center of Creative Studies, he was a professor and department head, teaching there for 30 years. He taught several classes, including Figure Illustration and The History of Illustration, which he developed. Mike was a great illustrator but also had an amazing talent for sculpture and photography. He taught, mentored and inspired many students with his creativity and knowledge of the industry. Mike impacted students with his sincere compassion and commitment to the next generation. Many former students became friends and colleagues, and have had successful careers in the art field, which they partly attribute to his teaching skills. Mike’s classes were the ones that all the students wanted to take, and they quickly filled up
and had waiting lists.
As a member of Grosse Pointe Theatre, Mike designed and worked on sets, directed and acted in several productions. He also had a special love of music, especially classical and jazz.
One of his favorite TV shows was Jeopardy and he could answer many of the trivia questions. He also loved Mash, 60 Minutes, Antique’s Road Show, the Sunday’s Morning Shows, the cooking shows, and all sports shows. Sometimes he would work all night in his studio on a job, and the TV kept him company.
Mike is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Lois; three children, Carrie (Michael) Hill, Kimberly McLaren (Tim Cobb), Elizabeth Mikos; a sister, Rita Holm; his grandchildren, Alexander (Amanda Coddington), Emma, Boris, Isabella, Sophia (Ethan), Lilli (Ryan); his great grandchildren, Cassian and Bridger; many in-laws, nieces and nephews from a blended family; and many dear friends and colleagues.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Ronald Holm, George and Robert Greenshields, special friends, Conway “Smitty” Smith, Helen and Don Morrison, William Webb and William Doyle.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be announced at a later date.
Memorials in Mike’s honor may be directed to The Leland Township Fire and Rescue, Lake Leelanau Station, PO Box 578, Leland, MI 49654; the Leelanau Conservancy, PO Box 1007, Leland, MI, 49654 or a Charity of One’s Choice.
Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.
