John Sikula

John Sikula Educator John Sikula, age 73, of Ashland passed on to heaven on November 17, 2017 after a short illness. Dr. Sikula was born October 7, 1944 in Akron, Ohio to John and Anna Sikula of Mogadore, Ohio. He had an identical twin brother, Andy. He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother, Gerald, and twin Andy. He is survived by his wife, Audrey; sister, Anna Sikula-Miller and her husband, Tom of Montana; and a younger brother, Mike and his wife, Charlotte of Florida. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Carolyn Senter Sikula of Nebraska and Judy Sikula of Tennessee. Considered very family oriented, John is survived by five children, Michelle of Tallmadge, Ohio, Nicole of Germany, Adam (Melissa) of Broadview Heights, Ohio, Danielle (Mario) of Hendersonville, Tenn., and Jennifer Crutchfield of Mansfield, Ohio. Sikula was married to Audrey Pfeifer Pagani in 2002. He is survived by her and her family. Her father is Richard Pfeifer of Mansfield, Ohio; brothers, Rick (Kathie) and Jack (Cheryl) Pfeifer of Westerville, Ohio and Shelby, Ohio respectively; and sister, Carolyn Weich (Garry) of Elyria, Ohio. John also is survived by eight grandchildren, Zachary, Brielle, Alyssa, McKenna, Nathan, Griffin, Haydan and Hyde. He also has many other surviving family members including cousins, second cousins, and in-laws spread across Ohio and beyond. Dr. Sikula was employed most recently by Ashland University. He served there as Education Dean, Associate Provost, Dean of the Graduate School, Vice President for Regional Centers and Outreach, Executive Director of Regional Centers, Center Director of the Cleveland and Massillon/Stark Campuses, and Director of Adult Studies and Veteran Services. He was a life-long educator devoting over five decades to his career in teaching, administration, and educational and school improvement. Dr. Sikula received his BA from Hiram College with honors, and his MA and Ph.D from Case Western University. John Sikula was captain of the 1965 Hiram College football team. Before coming to Ashland in 1998, he had worked at Bloomsburg State College (Pennsylvania), the University of Toledo (Ohio), Indiana University Northwest (Indiana), California State University, Long Beach, and National University (California). Dr. Sikula was active in community affairs. He served on the Mogadore Schools Alumni Foundation Board of Directors as a Life Member, Vice President, President Elect, President, and Immediate Past President. He served on the United Way of Ashland County Board of Trustees as a member, Vice President, President, Past President, and Pacesetter Chair. He was a graduate of Leadership Ashland (2002) and served on its Advisory Council as a member, Chair Elect, and Chair. He also served nine years as a Director, Secretary, Vice President, and President of the Waterfronts II Condominiums Association Board of Directors in Port Clinton, where he owns two condos. After retirement in 2015, he worked as a volunteer for the Ashland County Park District, serving as Manager of Cooke Cabin, as President of the Friends of the Ashland County Park District, and as one of three Commissioners. Also locally, he served on the St. Edwards Parish Council and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Dr. Sikula had many professional honors including being the national President of the Association of Retired Teacher Educators (1989-90), the Founding President of the State of California Association of Teacher Educators, Senior Editor of the Handbook of Research on Teacher Education, Second Edition (1996), and as President of several other professional associations in three states. He was President of Phi Delta Kappa Chapters in Toledo, Gary, and Ashland while serving as a life member since 1971. He was recognized as a Distinguished Educator in Indiana, California, and Ohio, as well as nationally. Service awards were presented to him throughout his career. He was recognized for outstanding teaching, research, service, and mentoring. Dr. Sikula served as consultant to schools, universities, professional associations, and education-related groups across all 50 states and 27 countries. He had over 200 professional publications. He was an Education Dean for 25 years at four different universities in three states. Friends and family will be received Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road (Route 91), Akron (Ellet), Ohio 44312. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2643 Waterloo Road, Mogadore/Randolph, Ohio 44260 with Father Rod Kreidler presiding. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Mogadore. Memorial contributions may be made to the John Sikula ATE Unit Awards Endowment Fund to continue an awards program begun by Dr. Sikula in 1988 with the national Association of Teacher Educators (ATE). Please send contributions to: ATE, PO Box 793, Manassas, VA 20113. Please make checks payable to: Leadership Foundation for Teacher Education (LFTE), and note that the donation is for the Sikula Endowment Fund. (Hopkins Lawver, AKRON, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com