Timothy Sykora

Timothy Louis Sykora

Marshall

Timothy Louis Sykora, 55, died June 5, 2014 at home in Marshall.

Tim was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on November 24, 1958, the fifth child of Harry L. and Helen (Barnes) Sykora.   His father's career moved the Sykora family to Denver, CO, Findlay, OH, Marshall, MI and Crawfordsville, IN where Tim graduated from Southmont High School in 1978.

Tim earned a Bachelor and Master degrees in Art and Art Education from Ball State University, and was a much-loved substitute teacher in Marshall Schools.  A skilled tradesman, Tim worked with his brother-in-law, brothers, and father in residential construction, and as an electrician with Custom Electric.  He earned his Journeyman and contractor license, and began his own business.  Tim took interest in the framer at Redman's Paint and Wallpaper store, and started buying smaller quantities to necessitate return visits. Tim married that framer, Patrice Marquardt, on June 25, 1994. Together they designed refurbished, restored, planned projects in unison and their close 24/7 partnership was unusual.  Tim and Patrice traveled the United States, Europe, Mexico, Asia and the Caribbean where Tim especially loved the island of Puerto Rico.

In 1998, Tim joined his wife at Marshall Framing Studio where he created individualized custom mouldings. He was a favorite workshop speaker to the framing trade at Nelson's Moulding Company retreats. Tim was also a well-respected artist, known for his construction of assemblages and sculptures.  He showed his art in area and traveling art gallery shows.

Tim was dedicated to Marshall preservation efforts.  He served on the Downtown Development Authority as Vice-President, on MAEDA, volunteered his time to "Save the Civic Center", helped several businesses obtain facade improvement grants while Chair of the Main Street Design Committee and worked endless hours Co-Chairing the downtown Tree Replacement project.  Along with Jerry Lehmann and Patrice, he originated the "Forgotten Spaces", a tour of the upper floors of Marshall's main street buildings.

Tim was an incessant reader of the New York Times, electrical manuals, and books on the sciences.  He enjoyed work projects as recreation, and was an avid recycler.

He is survived by his wife, Patrice; mother, Helen; brothers: Bryan and Barb (McHenry) Sykora of Minneapolis, MN, Dan Sykora, Harry and Dyan (Davis) Sykora;  sister, Maureen and Dave Reed all of Marshall; sister-in-law Pris Rogers (Gunter Dufey); brother-in-law Paul Marquardt (Pat Plasko); nieces: Jayne Sykora, Kathy (Chris) Hetherington, Emily Sykora, Karrly and Kenady Sykora, Melania Marquardt Plasko;  nephews Mike (Katy) Reed, Ben Reed, Nate Sykora, Kevin Sykora, Kabe Sykora; a grandniece, Elena Reed; grandnephew, Oloren Sykora Savina, and two new grandnephews born in 2014, Emerson Reed and Jack Heatherington; an aunt Edith Barnes Rusboldt and uncle Jack (Shirley) Barnes.

He was preceded in death by his father (1992); brother Pat Sykora (1977); father-in-law E.Fred Marquardt (2003); grandparents Charles and Emma Sykora, Ed and Grace Barnes; and uncle, Henry Rusboldt.

In support and respect for science, Tim donated his body to University of Michigan medical research.  In desire to further the greening of Marshall, memorial gifts in Tim's honor may be given to Marshall Area Conservation Committee. Contact Cheryl Vosburg, 269 558 0328 or cvosburg@cityofmarshall.com.

A gathering of friends and family will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2014, 3PM at the Franke Center for the Arts, Marshall.  Tim will be remembered as diversely talented, hard worker, and a kind gentleman, dedicated to making a positive difference.