Nick B. Mihajlovich, age 98, of Highland, IN and St Petersburg, FL (formerly of East Chicago), passed away Monday, November 20, 2023, surrounded by a gathering of family, friends, and his favorite Serbian music. Born Nikodije Mihailovic on August 10, 1925, to Branko & Ljubica (Vukoicic) Mihailovic, in the village of Godacica, Kraljevo, Serbia, He spent his youth on the family farm with his widowed mother and brothers, having lost his father at 6 months old, as well as two sisters he never knew.  As a teenager during WWII, when the German army occupied Yugoslavia, Nick joined the resistance with his local Chetnik unit. When American planes were shot down by NAZI forces, he escorted 9 U.S. airmen to safety, taking part in Operation Halyard, the largest rescue of American airmen (512) in U.S History. He was later captured by Partisan forces, forced to march the length of Yugoslavia on the way to the front line, but escaped on foot, across the border into Italy. Following 5 1/2 years in displaced persons camps, through the sponsorship of the Serbian Church and Serbian National Defense, he immigrated to East Chicago, where he became a member of the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church. Nick served many years on the Church Board (10 years as Treasurer), as well as on the boards of the Serbian Brothers Help and the Serbian National Defense. He had left behind Communist Yugoslavia, but never forgot his family, making several trips to Serbia in later years. Though the war interrupted his education, with his natural love of reading and intellectual curiosity, he never stopped learning, becoming proficient in 3 languages, even writing letters to senators, congressmen & presidents. In 1954, Nick married the love of his life, Olga Voynovich of South Bend, IN. The following year, they welcomed their 1st child on the same day they opened their business, the San Bar Tavern & Restaurant, a family establishment in Indiana Harbor, in partnership with his brother-in-law & sister-in-law (late Steve & Helen Tezich),  During 18 years working nights in the business, Nick continued working days at Inland Steel and then Certified Concrete, retiring as #1 Driver after 29 years.  His golden years were brightened by the Florida sunshine, with Olga by his side, enjoying the company of great friends, old and new. He was a prolific & entertaining storyteller with an incredible memory and dry sense of humor, captivating an audience, leaving everyone in stitches, especially with stories about Harbor in the old days.  Known as "Beli" for the head of blond hair that he never lost, he will be remembered for his wit, kindness, dedication to his Church, and vruca rakija, the Serbian specialty he expertly made every Christmas Eve and Slava.  Left to treasure his memory are his loving wife, Olga, daughters Cathy (Milorad) Jegdic, Judy Mihajlovich, Diane Mihajlovich; sister-in-law Mitzi (late Melvin) Pasalich, numerous nieces and nephews in Serbia, France, Canada & the U.S, wonderful friends and Kumovi.  Preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023, 10:00 a.m., at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 4021 Elm St., East Chicago, IN, with V. Rev. Srdjan Veselinovic officiating. At rest, New Gracanica Monastery, Third Lake, IL.  Friends may visit with the family on Friday, 3:00-7:00 p.m. (Pomen prayer service, 6:30 p.m.) at Solan-Pruzin Funeral Home, 14 Kennedy Ave., Schererville, IN (corner of Kennedy Ave. & Main St.). Tata, we will always love you, miss you and remember you. Vecnaja Pamjat!