Bradford 'Brad' Rider Sikes

Brad Sikes, age 56, of Bethalto, died at 8:15 a.m. peacefully early Sunday morning, June 25, 2006 at St. Anthony’s Hospital with his family near his side.

Brad was born on September 11, 1949 in Connecticut, to David and Bertha (Rider) Sikes, both of whom survive and reside in Louisiana.

He married the former Charlotte Ann Jones on December 18, 1971 and was the loving father of Leah Ann Sikes and Sarah Elizabeth Sikes.

Brad enjoyed being outdoors with friends, family, and his Jack Russell terriers, snowmobiling, and riding his Harley. He was an avid skeet and trap shooter and a member of the Olin Shooting Facility. Brad believed in giving back to the community and was a member of Bethalto Rotary International where he was selected for the Paul Harris Fellow for the outstanding service he provided the club and the community.

In addition to his parents, wife, and daughters, he is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Tommy Gipson of Tennessee; a brother and sister-in-law, David Alan and Debbie Sikes of Michigan; a son-in-law elect (Leah’s fiancé), Matthew Hartweger of Mascoutah; a niece, Amy Sikes and a nephew, Jason Sikes; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Jones of Alton; a sister-in-law and her husband, Vickie and James MacDonald of Godfrey; 2 brothers-in-law and their wives, Bill and Debbie Jones of Rosewood Heights and Bruce and Carol Jones of Centralia, and numerous cousins.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 28, 2006 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church in Cottage Hills with Pastor Martin Schultz officiating.

Interment will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.