Anthony Mithelavage

Anthony David Mithelavage, or Tony as everyone knows him, 69, of Independence, MO is now humbly kneeling before Our Lord. For two years, Tony fought the most valiant battle against cancer, but even he was not able to defeat it. So now, instead of praying for Tony, we can pray to him.
Tony is well known, not only in the Kansas City area but in the entire Midwest region, for his life-long list of bowling achievements; his life-long career in information technology, and his love for sports cars.
As a 15-year-old, Tony received continuous recognition for his bowling skills, including twelve weeks on the Junior Bowling Championship television series, averaging over 200 during that span in an era when 190 was an enviable score for skilled adults. As a member of the famous Mel Hilliard Chevrolet team of the Kansas City Masters League during the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, Tony has remained one of the most recognized bowlers in the Kansas City area. He has nineteen perfect 300 games, numerous 800 series and a lifetime average of 210.
Tony graduated from St. Mary’s high School in Independence in 1961 at the age of 16. He attended Rockhurst College and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
For over 50 years, Tony worked in the IT field - data processing and programming as it was referred to when the computer age was in its infancy. He retired this past year from his last employer, Meyer Companies, headquartered in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Everybody who knows Tony is very much aware of his enthusiasm for anything related to sports cars, especially the six generations of the Datsun/Nissan Z-Car line. Tony has owned numerous Z-Cars, including the 260Z, 280Z, 280ZX and several models of the 4th generation 300Z. Tony is a founding member of the nationally recognized Heart of America Z Car Club. He served as its first president and is generally considered to be the person who made it what it is today.
Tony is a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Independence and is a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Tony is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony V. (Tony Sr.) and Anna (Pauline) Mithelavage and his nephew, Jeffery Still. He is survived by his new bride Connie Mithelavage of Independence; his sister Cathy Savlin of Independence; his sister Phyllis Still (Frank) of St. Joseph; his brother Mick Mithelavage (Anna) of Lee’s Summit; his brother John Mithelavage of Kansas City; his former spouse Loreta Mithelavage of Grandview; 16 nieces and nephews, and 22 grandnieces and grandnephews.
The family asks that donations be made to Catholic Charities (www.catholiccharities-kcsj.org ).
Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, December 1, at Carson-Speaks Funeral Home at 1501 West Lexington Ave., Independence, Missouri. Funeral Mass will begin at 2:00 pm on Monday, December 2, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church at 3736 South Lee’s Summit Road in Independence, Missouri (816-373-2600). Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, Missouri.
Special note to Z-Car owners: Weather permitting, we expect you to show up in style.