Herbert C. Sikora was born on December 30, 1931 to Charles and Emily Sikora (Triner) in Berwyn, Illinois. He spent his formative years living in Stickney, Illinois on Wisconsin Avenue. He attended Morton High School. While in school, he was often called upon to play taps with his bugle at the funerals of fallen soldiers. After his high school graduation, Herbie enrolled in college on September 19, 1949. He attended college classes until January of 1951, he then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station Base in Sanford, Florida. He served as an Aviation Structural Mechanic during the Korean War Conflict. He was honorably discharge from the Navy on February 23, 1955. Following his military service, He met and married the love of his life, Margaret Shirley Powell (Toots). They were married on February 24, 1956. He was a devoted husband to Toots for 36 years until her passing. They welcomed 3 beautiful daughters: Sue, Debbie and Sheri. Herb was blessed to have a lady friend, Sandy, for several years. She was a wonderful friend to him. They enjoyed car shows, dinners and movies.
Herbie was a devoted father, grampa, great grampa, and great great grampa. He was also GRAMPS to everyone he met. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, always willing to give them advice and words of wisdom whenever possible. He enjoyed ME TV, watching all his old westerns and war movies. He was always available to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed it, He was kind, gentle and loving. He encouraged, guided, and supported his entire family.
Once he retired, he loved "working" at Midwest Hot Rods. That was one of his happy places. He enjoyed working on classic cars, cleaning for open houses, and visiting with all the guys and all the car owners. Wisconsin was a second home to him. After retirement, he would enjoy 6 months out of the year in the beautiful Wisconsin air with his two daughters, Sue and Debbie and visiting his grandchildren.
Herbie is survived by his children; Susan (Patrick) Pejskar, Debora (Larry) Rich, Cheryl (Butch) Krueger, his grandchildren; Jean Marie (Brian) Berger, John (Michelle) Pejskar, Teri Lynn Pejskar, Michael Huffman, Steven (Anthonny) Krueger, Andrew Krueger, Margaret Krueger, Kaitlyn Krueger, his great-grand children; Melissa (Brian) Gurney, Brianna (Cody) Carlson, Brittney Berger, Zachary Pejskar, Paige Pejskar, Halle Schemehorn, Angelina Huffmann Bires, Hayden Schemehorn, Cole Herbert Huffman, and Lola Elizabeth Krueger-Lay, his great-great-grand children; Ella Marie Gurney, Iziah Pejskar, Christian Muller Bires, Reese Charlotte Carlson, along with many more beloved nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by: his father, Charles Sikora; his mother, Emily Triner Sikora; his beloved wife Margaret (Toots) Sikora, his brothers and sisters-in-law; Freddie (Dorothy) and Richard (Jeanne) Sikora; his sweet great-great granddaughter, Evelyn Charlotte Gurney and his beloved son-in-Law, Larry Rich.
The visitation will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., located at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 530 West Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440. The service will begin at the funeral home right at 12:00 p.m. Burial and military funeral honors will conclude services for Herbie at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, 4401 South Oak Park Avenue, Stickney, Illinois 60402. The family would like to cordially invite guests to a memorial luncheon following the services at Sawa's Old Warsaw Restaurant, 9200 West Cermak Road, Broadview, Illinois 60155.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium.