Services for Rev. John M. Sykes, 81, of Eastlake, will be at 10 AM on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Shoregate United Methodist Church, 30500 Bayridge Boulevard, Willowick The Rev. Dr. William C. Liming, Jr. will officiate at the service.

Reverend Sykes passed away Thursday, May 9, 2013 at Fairways Assisted Living Center in Wickliffe.

Born December 23, 1931 in Adams County, IL, he was a longtime Lake County resident.

He was an avid reader, loved to travel, study history, and loved spending time with his family. He attended Shoregate United Methodist Church in Willowick where he sang in the choir and also served in the United States Army, stationed in Lyon, France during the Korean Conflict.

Rev. Sykes was the former Pastor of First United Church of Christ in Eastlake for 35 years, retiring in 1998.

Survivors are his sons, David Sykes of Portland, OR; Brian (Alisa) Sykes of Mentor-on-the-Lake, and Kevin (Lisa) Sykes of Gaithersburg, MD; grandchildren: Clint, Kylie, Kendall, Brianna, and Macallister; and former wife, Connie (Newton) Sykes of Willowick. He also leaves his cousin, Charles Sykes of Decatur, IL; and nieces Emily Conaway of Lakewood, CA and Beth Gable of Phoenix, AZ

He was preceded in death by his parents: Webster and Margaret Sykes and his brother, Robert Sykes.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM Monday, May 13, 2013 at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, 4154 Clark Ave., Willoughby.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to Shoregate United Methodist Church, 30500 Bayridge Boulevard, Willowick, OH 44095.