Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel
912-754-6421 (fax) 912-754-3426
P.O. Box 295
Springfield, GA 31329
PICTURE
Joseph Thomas Cihla
Joe Cihla of Rincon, Georgia passed away Sunday, October 2 at the age of 74. Joseph Thomas Cihla was born on Dec. 23, 1941 in Lonsdale, Minnesota. He graduated from New Prague High School in 1959. He enlisted in the U.S Air Force, where he met the love of his life, Peggy. They were married in 1964, settling in his hometown of Lonsdale. They had 5 children, 3 boys & 2 girls.
Joe worked as a machinist for Lonsdale Tool for 15 years, with some bartending duties on some nights and weekends to make ends meet. He would change professions, joining the National Guard in the 1980's, first, part time, then, as full time Supply Sergeant for the 434th Chemical Company of the Minnesota National Guard in Northfield, MN, serving his country for 20 years. He and his wife, moved to Rincon in 2004, where he worked at Ft. Stewart and later at Springfield Chrysler.
Joe was a volunteer firefighter for the Lonsdale Fire & Rescue Squad for 25 years. He also played on the Lonsdale Men's Baseball team for years, and later coached many youth baseball & hockey teams, in which his sons played, in fact, too many teams to name.
He also had a love of music, and played trumpet in the Effingham Community Orchestra for years, and went twice a week to Effingham and Chatham County nursing homes to sing with members of his church choir.
He was known for his kindness and sense of humor, it made his day if he could make you smile. He was also a member of the American Legion, Jaycees and Knights of Columbus. Joe was a jokester but a serious man of the Catholic faith. His two churches over the course of his life, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Lonsdale, MN and St. Boniface Catholic Church in Springfield, GA.
Joe is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Peggy, his parents Joseph & Anna Cihla and his sister Marlene, and her husband Frank Voracek. Joe is survived by his 5 Children, Rick (Kim) Cihla of Hastings, Minnesota, Doug (Denice) Cihla of Rincon, Connie (Vic) Lundquist of Rincon, Mike (Ginger) Cihla of Savannah and Paula Cihla of Springfield and his 7 grandchildren, Michael & Lisa Cihla, Shawn & Andrew Cihla, Danielle & Samantha Lundquist, and Mikey Cihla Jr. and Joe's Step Grandchildren Brandon, Glenn, Michelle Doan, and Step Great Grandchild, Carter.
Visitation will be this Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church followed by a funeral mass at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either St. Boniface Catholic Church of Springfield, 1952 GA Hwy. 21 S., Springfield, GA 31329 or to the Effingham Community Orchestra, P.O. Box 6, Guyton, GA 31312
Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 754-6421