Stanley E. Sydlowski

Stanley E. Sydlowski, DDS, 86, of Tonica, passed away at his home on January 15, 2024. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday January 19 at the Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica. Following the service, full military services will be conducted by the Tonica American Legion at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Tonica. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday from 9:00 AM until time of services.

Stan was born in La Salle on August 29, 1937 to Stanley and Florence (Runyon) Sydlowski.  He attended Tonica schools, LPO, University of Illinois, and then U of I Chicago College of Dentistry.  Stan married Carol Ricca on September 5, 1959 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Cedar Point.  He served in the United States Air Force for eight years active duty and then the Air Force Reserves for 20 years achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  He practiced dentistry in Earlville, Tonica, Wenona, Pekin as well as on Air Force bases in Germany, Libya, Arizona, California, and Illinois.  His patients were always quick to share their fond memories and funny anecdotes.

Stan grew up in Tonica where he enjoyed many outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and playing multiple sports from elementary school through the military.  He was a good pitcher in baseball, an accurate outside shooter in basketball, shot putter, and pole vaulter.  Stan continued his active lifestyle running into his 60’s. He was a lifelong classic country music fan making frequent trips to Nashville to take in the live music.

He made his homes in Illinois, Arizona, California, Libya and Florida.  Stan’s travel highlights included fishing excursions to Canadian outposts, wine tasting in California, boating in the Ozarks and road tripping along Route 66 with his childhood friend in his 1966 Mustang convertible.  He enjoyed vacations to Italy, Slovenia, Mexico, Columbia, and New Zealand.  Stan enjoyed attending and watching his favorite teams including the White Sox, Chicago Bears, and the Illini.

Stan is survived by his six children: Tim, Greg (Karen), Wendy Estrada, Shawn (Tiffany), Jason (Megan) and Tina (Matt) Rios; his twelve grandchildren: Maya (fiancée Kevin), Joseph, Jeremy, Jonathan, Justin, Corbin, Owen, Louise, Vienna, Sedona, Vincent, and JoAnne Mimi; one sister Stephanie McClenning; and brother-in-law Jack Ferrari.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2001, his parents, three sisters-in-law: Margaret (Ivan) Finnegan, Johanna (Norman) Wassil and Geraldine Ferrari and one brother-in-law Hank McClenning.

Memorials can be direct to Tonica Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Department and American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.

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