Million-dollar win lets long-time teacher retire

Drawing Date: 8/4/2017

August 10, 2017 - A Muskegon, Mich., man is giving his wife the gift of retirement after winning $1 million from the Michigan Lottery playing Mega Millions.

Paul Kuharevicz, 56, matched the five white balls drawn – 09-17-25-63-71 – in Friday’s drawing to win a $1 million prize. He bought his winning ticket at Ladd’s and Company, located at 4230 Henry Street in Muskegon.

“I was on my way home from a business trip and my flight out of O’Hare was cancelled, so I rented a car and drove home,” said Kuharevicz. “When I got home, I realized I had left my bike at work and went to pick it up. On my way there, I stopped at Ladd’s and bought a ticket.

“The next morning, my son sent me a text and told me to check my ticket because someone had won $1 million on a ticket bought at Ladd’s.”

As soon as he realized he was the big winner, Kuharevicz knew he had to make good on a promise he’d made to his wife. “I’ve always told my wife if I win the Lottery then she can retire,” said Kuharevicz. “She been a teacher for 28 years, but next year will be her last year teaching.”

Kuharevicz visited Michigan Lottery headquarters Wednesday to claim his big prize. With his winnings, he plans to pay off his home, buy a new bicycle, and then invest the remainder. “Winning is an amazing feeling. God has given me so much,” said Kuharevicz.