L. A. Hykel

L. A. Hykel, age 93, of West, passed away late Friday evening, May 22, 2009 at West Rest Haven. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 11:00 am. Tuesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, with the Rev. Stephen Nesrsta and Rev. B. George as celebrants. Burial will follow at Fatima Cemetery near Abbott. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Mr. Hykel was born on August 21, 1915 on a farm near West, the son of Louis A. and Julia (Kallus) Hykel. He attended school in Ross, Alligator-Snake Creek and Abbott. On October 17, 1938, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Estelle Hanak in West. She preceded him in death on August 2, 2002. He farmed for many years and drove a school bus for the Abbott I.S.D. After he quit farming, he worked as a car salesman for Kozelski Ford and Sykora Family Ford in West for many years. He was honored by Ford Motor Company and featured in Time Magazine as a top sales professional in 1977. L. A. was a past Mayor of Abbott and served for four years. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved BBQ's, camping, fishing, gardening, traveling, playing dominoes,taroky and dancing. The highlight of his life was the trip he took to Europe with his daughter, Mary Frances. L. A. and his wife Estelle worked as volunteers for West Rest Haven for many years. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, where he helped with the planning and building of the church. He was also a member of K.J.T. in Abbott, S.P.J.S.T., R.V.O.S. and Knights of Columbus Council #2305 in West. He is preceded in death by one son, Edward Hykel and a son-in-law, Milton Degner. Survivors include one son, Richard Hykel and his wife Dorothy of Troy; two daughters, Mary Degner of Robinson and Jeanette Vrana and husband Doug of China Spring; one daughter-in-law, Jeanette Hykel of Groesbeck, four sisters, Helen Pustejovsky, Clara Nors and Leona Taylor, all of West, and Judy Ridlehuber of Abbott; special loving friend, Magdalen Averitt of West; ten grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Daren Degner, Stephen Hykel, Josh Hykel, Robert Nors, Christopher McKelvain, Otto Hanak Jr., Marvin Matus and Anthony Pustejovsky. Memorials may be made to West Rest Haven Memorial Fund or West Ambulance Association.