"Clearly Jim was ?A Man for All Seasons? His incredible business success was founded on an extremely high work ethic and good judgement and this gave him the means to help many friends and family members over the years in so many ways. Jim was undoubtedly one of the most formidable businessmen I have met in my business career but significantly he would always help others?. a genuinely nice bloke and somebody who could be relied upon when times were hard. Above all he became a great friend and one who I will miss dearly. Clear Blue Skies and an Open Road for you on your Harley Mate! You?ll always be with Me Martin Young "
In loving memory of
James Anton Sikich
December 14, 1947 - August 29, 2018
James A. "Jim" Sikich, age 70, passed away on Tuesday, August 28, 2018. He died from injuries sustained while assisting with the flood rescue effort on his beloved Lake Redstone, near La Valle, WI. Born to the late Mary and Tony Sikich, Jim was raised in Naperville, IL, and played football for Naperville (now Central) High School, being named an all-conference middle linebacker and winner of the Neil Stiefbold award. Jim attended the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and earning the Elijah Watt Sells Certificate of Honorable Mention on the CPA examination. Immediately upon graduation, he joined the accounting firm of Filbey, Summers, Abolt, Good and Kiddoo in Champaign, IL. In 1982, Jim founded Sikich, Gardner & Co. in Aurora, IL, which eventually became Sikich, LLP. Over 35 years of Jim's leadership, the firm grew into one of the nation's leading professional service firms, until he eventually retired in 2017. Throughout his career, he was a member and sat on the board of several prestigious organizations in Aurora, including Waubonsee Community College, the Aurora Family YMCA, Paramount Arts Center, Mercy Hospital, Copley Memorial Hospital, and the Chamber of Commerce among others. Jim's passing is mourned deeply by many family members, friends and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his sister, Wendy (nee Sikich) Walker. He is survived by his sister, Cherie (nee Sikich) Harris; sons, Andy (Michelle) Sikich and Alex Sikich (fiancé Candace Rickert); daughters Jennifer (Eric) Hayes and Megan (Vlad) Strelsov; grandchildren Carrie Sikich, Will Sikich, Emma Hayes and Naomi Strelsov and his three rescue beagles Lucky, Sam and Lola. In a life filled with striving to be the best and inspiring others to achieve greatness, Jim was prematurely cut down while characteristically attempting to help others. He loved his family, and he loved his beagles. He will be dearly missed.
Donations can be made at www.donate.rescueme.org/beagle.
A private memorial service will be held.
Please share your memories.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434
Tributes
"Dear Jennifer, Eric, Emma and family. I am so very sorry for your loss. May you find Peace during this most difficult time. A sudden loss is such a shock and I hope the arms of love and sympathy soothe your sadness. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I have no doubt Jim lives on through the many lives he has touched. R.I.P. Jim. Sincerely, Kelly Hacker"
"May you rest with the great ones, Jim. I attended Naperville Community High School with my friend for 3 years graduating in 1966. His family was the strength I needed to make the transition form the city to the suburbs. We were buddies from day one. During each summer, Jim and I worked for his Dad framing houses in Naperville. We played football, had a ball driving on the country roads around the area in one of his many cars. The 57 Chevy was the coolest car in town. The GTO was the fastest car in town. Or so we thought. I moved on from Illinois to the West but I kept in touch with Jim. Last winter, Jim purchased a house in Arizona. We were looking forward to continuing our friendship of over 50 years. I owe a debt of thanks to a life long friend. Hope to catch you again someday. Scott Lewis"
"We express are sincere condolences. Lake Redstone Property Owners Association"
"I have worked at Sikich for almost 30 years. Jim was a tireless leader, visionary and the architect of our amazing firm. Jim's management fueled the successful careers of many many people. His impact will be felt for many years to come. I am proud to say I work at Sikich. I am proud to say I worked for Jim Sikich! I pray for Jim, his family and friends. Rest in peace Jim. "
"I met Jim when our sons played travel baseball together, his son Alex was on the team that I managed, one game we didn't have umpires so a parent from each team would ump, Jim always sat up at the top of the bleachers with his cutoffs and muscle shirt on, he would take his shirt off and just glisten in the sun, if you knew Jim you know what I mean, Alex was up to bat and the parent umping was Mike Covelli, he called a strike on Alex and all you hear is Jim yell..."Covelli you suck!" We all laughed because who was going to say anything to Jim. He later sponsored our travel team and he always asked if there was anything the team needed, whatever it was he would get it, if I had a problem with a parent I could call Jim and he would talk to me and tell me the best way to handle the situation. We won just about every tournament we entered that year, and we had a blast, 20 years ago, I know because i still have all the trophies. I will miss this man, my sympathy goes out to Jim's family. God bless you all."
"The Sikich?s were my second family growing up. Mr. Sikich was a kind, thoughtful and generous man who loved his family. My deepest sympathies. He will be greatly missed."
"My heart is heavy. I?ve worked for Jim for 25 years. He?s the one that interviewed me which was a little intimidating. When I first started with the Firm and I found out he rode a motorcycle and had tattoos, I said he didn?t seem the type. They asked me what type I saw him as. I said someone sitting with a smoking jacket smoking his pipe (used to love smelling that when he smoked in the building??that was 4 buildings ago. So for our Christmas party, I had everyone chip in and we got him a Harley Davidson silky robe and some slippers and some pipe tobacco, and some sort of drinking game. When I stood at front to tell the story, he raised his eyebrows at me. He was a good sport about it. He was a great man to work for. It?s just amazing what he built his company to. "
"Jim was a great friend and partner. I am shocked and deeply saddened at his passing. Karen and I will keep the family in our prayers."
"I love you more than anything forever and ever Dad. There will never be anyone in the world quite like you. ??"
"It was an honor to have Jim as a high school football teammate. He was All-Conference, and an a spirited leader on the team. Jim's intelligence, quickness endurance and will to win were without equal. I have many fond memories of riding around town after a practice or a game in his beloved GTO. He loved that car. I last saw Jim at a social gathering a few years ago. Of course we spoke of football, but primarily he wanted to talk about his kids. Jim was very proud of his kids. My condolences to Jim's family. Jim was a great man. He will be missed. Barry Grove"
"Jim gave me possibly the best compliment I could have ever received. He said he always thought of me as a brother. It doesn't get any better than that. We miss him and will think of him often."
"We love you dad. You were the best and we will always have you here in our hearts. ??"
"We love you dad. You were the best and we will always have you here in our hearts. ??"
"My sympathies to Jim's family. I have a long history with Jim at Lake Redstone...he loved it here and we loved having him here. A good guy always willing to help someone else. He'll be missed tremendously."