Lula Mae Saikley

Lula Mae Saikley, 92, of Danville, IL, passed away on May 7, 2014 at Hawthorne Inn in Danville. Lu was born September 15, 1921 in Morgantown, KY, one of six siblings born to Earl Sharer and Prince Williams Sharer. She married G. Haven Saikley on August 9, 1943, in Owensboro, KY. Survivors include her son, Gilbert H. (Valeria) Saikley of Danville, IL; her daughter, Deborah Susan (Les) Bujko of Houston, TX; grandson, Scott Saikley (Sahaja Malone-Aram) of Pasadena, CA; granddaughters Megan (Sean) Reed of Santa Cruz, CA and Lesley Renae (Abed Said) Bentley of Houston, TX; great-grandsons, Braxton and Evan Reed and Gabriel Bentley; great-granddaughter Sophia Said; brother, Gerald (Joyce) Sharer of Rochester, IL; and a special nephew, Richard “Sonny” (Patty Ann) Sharer of Des Moines, IA. Lu was preceded in death by her husband, G. Haven Saikley; her daughter, Joanne Saikley LePage; brothers, Wren Sharer, Wilson Sharer and Reverend Malcolm Rains; sisters, Dorothy (Tom) Brown and Earline (LeVaughn) Heflin. Lu graduated from Owensboro High School, Owensboro, KY in 1938 and met her future husband, G. Haven Saikley during WWII in Louisville, KY. As newlyweds in 1943 they resided briefly in Dayton, OH and then moved to Danville, IL in 1945. She worked for F.L. Jacobs Co. in Danville and worked as an education secretary at North Ridge Junior High School from its opening date in August 1961 until her retirement in October 1981. Lu was an active member of First Baptist Church since 1945, serving as a Sunday School teacher and youth leader. She rarely missed a Sunday service and often attended two Sunday services. At First Baptist, she was active in the Gleaners and Golden Agers. She was also a member of the Rose Society along with her special friend, Herb Montel. Further, she was a past president of Danville Association of Education Office Personnel, National Association of Education Office Personnel and a life member of Lakeview Medical Center Auxiliary. Her first love was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to entertain family and friends, often during the holiday season. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church in Danville, IL. A service to celebrate the life of Lu will be held Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 11 AM at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville, IL. Pastor Paul Rebert will be officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5-8 PM Friday May 9, 2014. Burial will take place at Spring Hill Cemetery. Please join Lus family in sharing photos, videos and memories of her life through her Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.