Jack Cygan, 85
John “Jack” Cygan, 85, of Highland died on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015, with his wife, at their home.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and from 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland. A funeral Mass will follow the visitation on Thursday at the church, with Father Pat Jakel, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Adelbert Cemetery in Fairview Heights. Meridith Funeral Home in Highland is in charge of arrangements.
He was born on April 14, 1930 in East St. Louis to John and Mary (Grawol) Cygan. On Nov. 17, 1951, he married Shirley Schutzenhofer in East St. Louis.
Mr. Cygan was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, where he was also a Eucharistic minister and lector. He had been a Catholic Youth minister at at St. Paul from 1976-2011.
He had also been a Catholic Youth minister at St. Martin’s in East St. Louis from 1960-1972, where he also coached youth softball, football, baseball and was the athletic director.
He also coached girls’ soccer, women’s softball, baseball and football teams in Highland.
In 1963, he and his wife started Cygan Catering Service, now Cygan Delaney Catering.
Mr. Cygan was also a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly, the Polish American War Veterans in Caseyville, and he served on the city of Highland’s Police and Fire Commission for 30 years.
He had been a season ticket holder of the St. Louis Cardinals football. He then became an avid St. Louis Rams fan, and and he was also a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.
He was involved in all his grandchildren’s activities and loved family time. He traveled the world with family as much as possible.
He is survived by his children, Valerie (Danny) Delaney of Highland, Denise (Paul) Tissier of Troy, John (Bonnie) Cygan of Highland, Michael Cygan of Valparaiso, Ind.; grandchildren, Danielle (Jacque) Delaney-Davis, Brendan (Jackie) Delaney, Jacqueline Tissier (fiance Andy McCammon), Paul Tissier IV, John Kyle Cygan, Taylor Nicole Cygan, Brittani Cygan Neff (Jarrett), Jonathan Cygan, and Zachary Cygan; great-grandchildren, Delaney Davis, Drake Delaney, Owen Neff, and Eli Neff; a sister, Emily Pope of Columbia, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Stanley, Joseph, Edward and Frances Skrabacz; and sisters, Carolyn Wilson and Sophia Williams.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Educational Foundation, St. Adelbert Cemetery, or Highland Area Christian Service Ministry.
This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 10:42 AM with the headline "Jack Cygan, 85."