Emil J. "Baba' Cikel

Emil J. Cikel, age 88, passed away Thursday May 26, 2011, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center. Emil was born in Racine May 15, 1923, son of the late Stephen and Julia (nee: Jurik) Cikel and had been a lifelong resident.

During World War II, Emil proudly served his country in the United States Marines while stationed in the Pacific Theater. On April 23, 1949, at Atonement Lutheran Church, Emil was united in marriage to Edna Nelson. He was employed with Mamco Corporation for over forty years until his retirement, and also served as a firefighter prior to starting at Mamco. He was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church.

Emil was a proud veteran and member of the VFW Post 1391, the Marine Corps League and was delighted last year when he was flown to Washington, D.C., as part of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Program. He enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, photography, and fishing. Emil loved and supported the city of Racine and you could find him at any big city event. Above all, it was his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, that he adored. He will be greatly missed by all.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty two years, Edna; his children, Randy (Bonnie) Hansen, Patricia Lock and her children, Justin Gorelik and Amie (Jeffrey) Miller; Pamela (Douglas) Talbott and their children, Christopher (Kate) Talbott, Joseph (Mary) Talbott, Andrew (Kate) Talbott, Patrick Talbott; Jeffrey Cikel and his children, Jennifer Cikel and Sean McFarland; Karen (William) Spranger and their children, Daniel (Laura) Spranger, Sarah Spranger; Barbara Adrian and her sons, Max and Ben Adrian; 23 great grandchildren; brothers, Edwin (Mary Ann) Cikel, Jerome Cikel; nieces, nephews, other relatives close neighbors and dear friends.

Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring St., Union Grove, 53182, on Thursday, June 2, 2011, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Randal Poppe and Rev. Thomas Chryst officiating. Memorials to the Racine Zoological Society have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888