Howard G. Sibert

Howard G. Sibert, age 71, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Funeral services will be held Noon Friday, September 27th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Reverend Duane Kaufman officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to Noon Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be grandsons; Austin Farrell, Briar and Cole Flores, Nephews; BJ and Joe Sibert, and like a son; Jason Kennedy.  Honorary pallbearers will be Carroll Price, Catfish Stevens, Jack “Morty Pie” Rice, Roger Jameson, Steve “Half-wit” Loughridge and Dennis Duffy.

Howard was born August 24, 1948 in Ottawa, a son of Howard and Helen (Moore) Sibert.  He married Pam Miskell August 30, 1969 at the First Baptist Church of Ottawa.  Surviving are Pam, his wife of 50 years; 3 children, Howard (Lucrezia) Sibert, Jr., Andy (Danielle) Sibert and Heidi (Cory) Lundy all of Ottawa; 10 grandchildren, Amanda, Josh, Austin, Chloe, Ella, Gabby, Grace, Briar, Cole and Baylee; and one great grandchild, Mary.  Howard also leaves siblings, Luella McGeorge, James Sibert, Betty Hardy, Raymond (Kathy) Sibert, Pam (Larry) Morey and Tim (Donna) Sibert all of Ottawa.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, four sisters and many of his furry friends.

Howard began working for Tufty Farms at the age of thirteen and farmed on the Jameson Farm.  He worked at Marquette Academy and retired from Boilermakers Local 60 in Morton, IL. His passion for farming, gardening, fishing, and feeding the birds and squirrels was evident to anyone who knew him.  He was always busy working, whether it be in his garden, helping Pam make salsa and zucchini bread, tinkering around the house, or just helping anyone, friend or family. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved his Chicago Bears.

Howard loved his family.  He was the best Pa to his grandkids and his wife was his everything. He was a great man and will be deeply missed.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.