Michael Sykes Obituary

SYKES
Michael Steven "Mike" Sykes, 70, of Sparta, IL; born on May 6, 1954 in Waukegan, IL, the son of Myron and Ione (Harty) Sykes; passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at home with his loving wife by his side.
Mike worked as a deputy sheriff in Colorado for ten years, transporting criminals from place to place by airplane. There was one instance where Mike was transporting a prisoner, and an engine gave out on the plane to where he had to make an emergency landing on a mountain. He was able to land safely without harming anyone on the plane. He went on to receive a medal of honor for his strategic landing while securing the prisoner. Mike left the police force and started working for NetJets. He continued his career as a pilot, logging over 20,000 flight hours, and flying corporate planes. Mike retired after working twenty-five years for NetJets and became the "cool grandpa" that loved to play video games with his grandkids. He also enjoyed woodworking, making custom ink pens with his wife, and flying his remote pilot certified drone. Mike never actually saw an alien after all the years of flying, but he did belong to the organization MUFON and was a firm believer that they are real.
Mike is survived by his loving wife of twenty-four years – Diane K. (Bentley) Sykes of Sparta, IL to whom he married on July 27, 2000 in Longmont, CO; one daughter – Alexandra (Kyle) Mitchell of Windsor, CO; three grandchildren – Kaedin (13), Isabelle (9), and Luke (5); two step children – Rachael McCarty of Houston, TX and Christopher Fulmer of Sparta, IL; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.heilschuessler.com.
Graveside Services will be held at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Steeleville, IL on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery for services.
Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta, IL is in charge of arrangements