John Joseph Stika

John Joseph Stika Jr., 94, of Rantoul passed peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning (Dec. 31, 2023) at home.

He was born Aug. 7, 1929, in Chicago, the last of nine children born to John Joseph and Edna Kuchar. He married Virgina Ann Siuta on Dec. 5, 1950, in Chicago. She preceded him in death on March 23, 2009.

He is survived by two sons, Steve (Teresa) Stika of Rantoul and David (Martina) Stika of Rantoul; a daughter, Vicki Blake of Champaign; and six grandchildren, Carrie Scott, Melissa Stika, Jared (Lacey) Busboom, Lindsey (Nathan) Busboom-Ross, Nicole (Zach) Noles and Zach (Morgan) Rubin. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by eight siblings; a son-in-law, Harry Blake; a son Michael; and a granddaughter, Krissi Rice.

John served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1953 and then entered the U.S. Air Force, where he retired in 1971 as a senior master sergeant. He was employed at Kraft Food for 17 years working in distribution.

Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul. He will be buried beside his wife in Maplewood Cemetery, Rantoul.