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

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