Anthony James Sikora

Anthony J. (A.J.) Sikora, 78, of Connellsville, Pa., passed away Thursday, March 29, 2001, in The Select Specialty Hospital at Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg. He was born Jan. 30, 1923, in Connellsville, a son of the late Anthony J. and Kathryn Nelis Sikora. He was a graduate of Immaculate Conception High School, in 1941, and from Northrup Aeronautical Academy in California, with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the 8th Air Force stationed in England, and as a Lieutenant was a Bomber Pilot flying many missions over Europe. He was also a licensed civilian airplane pilot. He was first employed by the Bureau of Employment Security in Connellsville, and then became an Internal State Auditor for the Bureau of Labor & Industry, for a career of 35 years. Anthony was a life member of The Fr. John Burns Council Knights of Columbus, a member of the Loyal Order of Moose 16, and of The Walter Brown Post 21 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of The Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, and was a member and Director of the church choir for a number of years. Surviving are a son, Major David A. Sikora and wife, Dara of Shreveport, La., where he is a member of the U.S. Air Force; two daughters, Mrs. Rebecca Stoughton and husband, William of Dallas, Texas, and Jennifer Elcock and husband, David of Connellsville; grandsons, Hunter Elcock, Dalton Elcock and Devon Sikora; granddaughters, Stephanie Stoughton, Laura Stoughton and Daun Sikora; a sister, LaVerne Herwick of Connellsville; his mother-in-law, Mrs. Ruth A. Fullem Murphy of Greensburg; and a brother-in-law, William H. Lane of Connellsville. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, E. Jean Murphy Sikora on Dec. 10, 1986; a sister, Kathleen D. Lane; and two brothers, Raymond James Cramer and Alex V. Cramer. Friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 East Green St., Connellsville, on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where a prayer service will be held on Monday at 2 p.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 2:30 p.m., in the Immaculate Conception Church of Connellsville, with the Rev. Fr. Michael Sciberras as celebrant. Committal and intermenty will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. A Parish Wake Service will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, in the funeral home. Trotter American Legion Post 762 and Milton L. Bishop Post 301 American Legion and Walter Brown Post 21 V.F.W., will present military honors at the cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to The Immaculate Conception R.C. Church Window Fund, 148 East Crawford Ave., Connellsville, PA 15425.