In Memory of Philip P. Sykes

Philip P. Sykes, age 90, of Ida Grove, IA, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at the Mercy Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 20, 2017 at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Private Graveside Service will be held in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Pastor Keith Hair will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

   Philip P. Sykes, the son of Arcellus and Edith (Percival) Sykes, was born on February 15, 1927, in Ida Grove, IA. Philip grew up on the family farm south of Ida Grove and attended Ida Grove Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1945.

   Philip was drafted into the United States Army on January 10, 1946. He was stationed overseas in Japan after WWII and held the rank of Staff Sergeant. Philip was honorably discharged from the United States Army on April 20, 1947.

   Philip returned home to Ida Grove where he started farming with his father and brother Charles. On December 5, 1970, Philip was united into marriage to Gloria Clark from Arthur, IA, in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Odebolt, IA. The couple made their home on a farm south of Ida Grove, and was blessed with three children: Jeremy, Louisa, and Rebecca.

   Philip retired from farming in the early 1980’s and the family moved into town in 1989.  Philip went to work for the United States Post Office in Ida Grove, where he worked for 22 years before retiring in 2009.

  Philip was a faithful member of the Bread of Life Faith Center of Ida Grove. He enjoyed attending and being active in his church. Philip also was part of the local men’s breakfast club going to breakfast every morning with the guys and enjoying a warm cup of coffee in the afternoon. Philip’s joy in life was spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

   Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 46 years, Gloria Sykes of Ida Grove, IA; children Jeremy (Jennifer) Sykes of Jenks, OK; Louisa (Chad) VonAhnen of Overland Park, KS and Rebecca (Michael) Carroll of Woodbury, MN; eight grandchildren: Jayda, Julia, and Joshua Sykes, Lauryn, Bennett, and Bryce VonAhnen, and Ryan and Logan Carroll; sister Alice Jean Young of Stuart, FL; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

   Philip was preceded in death by his parents Arcellus and Edith Sykes; granddaughter Jordyn Sykes; brothers Robert (Pearle) Sykes and Charles (Lois) Sykes; and one sister in infancy Mary Jane Sykes.