Joseph Mykytyn, age 84, of Temple, Georgia died on the afternoon of November 9, 2017 surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Philadelphia as the sixth of seven children to Dmitro Mykytyn and Akalena Konowal Mykytyn. After working tediously, he earned a full scholarship to Temple University where he met the love of his life, Shirley Newhouse. Joe was so smitten with Shirley that he gave up his scholarship at Temple and moved to Atlanta where he and Shirley wed in 1951. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mykytyn graduated from Mercer University (previously Southern College of Pharmacy).
After graduation, Mr. Mykytyn continued his professional career as a pharmacist and a proprietor. He built three pharmacies from the ground up: Leland Drugs, Springhill Pharmacy and Lithia Springs Pharmacy. Mr. Mykytyn was an avid businessman and served as a founding board member of Independent Bank and Trust. He retired at the age of 59 to enjoy time and relax with his family on their farm in Temple.
He is preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, and one grandchild. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Newhouse Mykytyn, his children, Joseph (Angela) Mykytyn, Jr. of Marietta, James (Elise) Mykytyn of Temple, John Mykytyn of Marietta, Jayne (Eugene) Rohling of Atlanta, and Janet Mykytyn of Temple; grandchildren, Cathy, Marie, Joseph III, Yvonne, Christopher, Charlotte, James, Charles, Christian, Kimberly, Cherlee, and Gabrielle; 10 great grandchildren with one on the way; and several nieces and nephews.
As one of the original parishioners of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, a funeral mass will be held in his honor there on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Father Mark Thomas will officiate. He will lie in state at the church from 10am until 11am. Interment will follow at Cheatham Hill Memorial Park in Marietta. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 12, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., and Monday, November 13, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service being held at 7pm, at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. An online guestbook is available at
www.westcobbfuneralhome.com
.