John Frank Sikora , July 30, 1931 — July 02, 2018

DeForest – John Frank Sikora, age 86, passed away peacefully in his home on July 2, 2018 surrounded by his family. He was born on July 30, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to Francis and Angeline Sikora. John served in the US Air Force during the Korean War as an air traffic controller in French Morocco until 1955.

He later received his Journalism Degree from the University of Illinois. John explored several different occupations, including working for the Catholic New World newspaper, before finding his long-term career as a copy editor for the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services. He worked in Madison, Wisconsin for 26 years and retired in 1996.

After his retirement, John couldn’t stay away from journalism and he worked for the local newspaper, the DeForest Times-Tribune. John had many interests and hobbies, including playing the ukulele and keyboard piano, playing card games, spending time with his family and pets, completing the New York Times Crossword puzzles and watching the Chicago White Sox baseball team. John also had strong political views, and gave his time and effort to support the Democratic Party.

John is survived by his wife, Jill Sikora, DeForest; his former wife, Judy Sikora (Steve Siehr), Madison; son, Chris (Pam) Sikora, Ellicott City, MD; daughters, Mary Sikora-Petersen (Steve Petersen), Woodruff, WI, Jenny Sikora (fiancé, Geoff Sharpley), Janesville, WI; granddaughters, Meredith and Andrea Sikora, Ellicott City, MD; sister, Dolores Brunette, Park Forest, IL; many nieces, nephews, other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Vicki Szafranski and Adeline Jaroszewski, and brother, Joseph Sikora. Everyone John met enjoyed his humor, dry wit, gentle kindness and warmth.

He will be missed by many. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 6, 2018 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest, WI. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of service.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the UW Hospitals and Clinics for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to AgraceHospice of Fitchburg, UW Medical Foundation of Madison or St. Joseph’s Indian School of Chamberlain, SD.

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