Paul E. Sikes

Paul E. Sikes, 94, passed away on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 at Libby Care Center. He was born Nov. 17, 1922 at Elvins, Missouri to Tom and Bertha (Bayless) Sikes, one of 10 children. Paul went thru the fifth grade in a one room country school in Oklahoma and then entered the work force doing odd jobs until he joined the Army on March 9, 1943.

Paul was most proud of his time serving as a surgical tech until his honorable discharge Jan. 14, 1946. While on leave he married Joyce Managhan in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. After his honorable discharge they lived in Kalispell until 1949 when they moved to Libby and he went to work for J. Neils Lumber Co. until his medical retirement on Sept. 1, 1983. In 1986 he lost Joyce to cancer. He married Jean Kroll in 1989 and they spent time traveling between Libby and Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings, his wife of 41 years, Joyce, daughter Sue Keller and great-granddaughter Erin Stewart.

Paul is survived by his children, Robin Leir, Leduc, Alberta; Tom and Cindy, Libby; Steve and Mary, Juneau, Alaska; and Casey, Cutbank, Mont.; 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 1 p.m., on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the City of Libby Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared atschnackenbergfh.com.