John Sikorsky
December 5, 1923 — May 16, 2004
John Sikorsky, age 80 of L'Anse passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2004 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital.
John was born on December 5, 1923 in Wabeno, Wisconsin, to the late Laurence and Edna (Conrad) Sikorsky. The family moved to Aura, MI in 1924. John attended school in Pequaming and graduated from Pequaming High School in 1942. After finishing his tour of duty with the U.S. Army Air Corps during Would War II, John entered Michigan Technological University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He held project engineer positions with the Illinois Highway Department in Ottawa, IL, Champion, Inc. in Iron Mountain, Hoyle-Newburg Construction in Iron Mountain. He also spent a year as a consulting engineer with Mead and Hunt Consultants, Madison, WI. In 1955 John went to work for Brebner Machinery of Marquette, district sales headquarters of Caterpillar Tractor Company. He remained with Caterpillar through two more ownerships, Kramer Machinery and Fabco, Inc. In 1976 he assumed the position of manager of Fabco, where he remained until his retirement in 1988.
Throughout his life John was actively involved in the community. He was a member of the L'Anse Area School Board and served as its president for two years. He was a member of the United Lutheran Church of L'Anse and church council, also serving as president. He was a member of the L'Anse Lions and is presently a member of the American Legion William-McGlue Post 144 of L'Anse. John was well known for his fishing expertise and hunting as well as his interest in prospecting for copper ore and designing clocks and tables created from copper ore.
John was preceded in death by two brothers, Leo and David; two sisters, Anna LaChapelle, and Martha Hood.
John is survived by his wife Anita (Karvakko) whom he married on June 11, 1948; a daughter Andrea (Tom) Kirshbaum of Flagstaff, AZ; a son Paul J. (Nancy) of Onalaska, WI; two granddaughters, Erin Sikorsky of Los Angeles, CA, Tatiana Sikorsky of Northfield, MN; two-step grandsons, Jon Kirshbaum of Portland, OR, Chris Kirshbaum of Hollywood, CA; a brother, Joseph Sikorsky of L'Anse; sisters, Catherine Lehto of St. Ignace and Ellen Exworthy of Traverse City; and many nieces and nephews also survive him.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 19, at 11:00 am at the United Lutheran Church in L'Anse, with Rev. Leon Linquist officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be sent to the Baraga County Home Health and Hospice Care or the United Lutheran Church in L'Anse. The Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse is assisting the family.
Friends may sign John's guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.