Joseph J. Cikar Jr.

June 11, 1943 - January 3, 2021

Joseph J. Cikar Jr., 77, of Rockford, IL, died Sunday, January 3, 2021 in OSF St. Anthony Hospital, Rockford, IL. He was born June 11, 1943 in Beloit, WI, the son of Joseph and Helen (McCormack) Cikar. Joseph was a 1961 graduate of Beloit Catholic High School. Joe was employed by Freeman Shoe Company for 27 years where he was responsible for Freeman’s receiving the highest award given by the Army and Air Force exchange service. The award was for “most innovative product” for Joe’s development of a new revolutionary men’s military dress shoe called “Military Lites”. He later became the vice president of Weinbrenner Shoe Company in Merrill, WI. Joe enjoyed fishing in remote Northwest Ontario, Canada. He also loved fishing for Salmon and Trout along the Wisconsin shore line of Lake Michigan. Joe was a member and past president of the Toast Masters Club Beloit Chapter. He received his Toastmasters certification from Dale Carnege Leadership training. Survivors include his children, Andrew J. (Cheryl) Cikar of Janesville, WI, and Karen M. (Brad) Viens of Beloit, WI; grandchildren, Taylor and Preston Viens, and Connor Cikar; cousin, Linda (Randy) Hanson of Elmwood Park, WI; and significant other, Brenda Harper of Rockford, IL. He was predeceased by his parents, and grandmother, Catherine Lastovic. Funeral service for Joseph will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2021 in the Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2355 Cranston Road, Beloit, WI, with Fr. Michael Resop officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Thabor Cemetery. Visitation of remembrance will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be given in his name to the Rockford Rescue Mission or St. Joseph Indian School.