Charleen (McMaster) Sidkey, age 81, of Munster, IN, passed away peacefully
on Monday, August 8, 2022 at the William J. Riley House, Munster, Indiana.
Charleen is survived by her beloved husband, Deniz, of 62 years; cherished
sons: Deniz (Pam), Scott (Leah) and Robert (Christine); and grandchildren:
Deniz III, Gabrielle and Ashley.
Charleen is preceded in death by her father, James; her mother, Eileen;
brother, James; and her younger sister, Bonnie Ray.
Friends may visit with the family on Monday, August, 15, 2022 at the
Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, Illinois
from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with funeral services beginning at 7:00 P.M. with
Pastor David Price officiating.
Charleen was born on July 21, 1941 in Hammond, IN to James and Eileen
McMaster. She grew up in Lansing, IL, where she attended Thornton Fractional
North High School in Calumet City, IL before attending Thornton Fractional
South High School in Lansing, IL when it opened.
Charleen met Deniz Sidkey at Thornton Fractional North High School during
her sophomore year in 1957, the year Deniz graduated.
They began dating and were married in 1960 at the
First United Methodist Church in Lansing, IL.
After marrying, Deniz and Charleen lived in the home
of Deniz’ folks,Emin and Sophie, which was attached to
Sidkey’s Supermarket on Burnham Avenue in Calumet City
until they bought a home and moved to Lansing, IL in 1965.
While living in Calumet City, they had two boys,
Deniz Jr. and Scott. In 1966, Deniz purchased an International House of Pancakes in
Oak Park, IL while Charleen took care of the boys and worked part-time at the restaurant.
In 1974, they had their third child, another boy, Robert.
In 1986, after Deniz grew tired of driving to work in Oak Park, IL, Deniz and
Charleen opened the restaurant known as Aunt Sally’s in Calumet City,
the same location as Sidkey’s Supermarket. Not knowing if Aunt Sally’s would
be successful, Deniz continued to own and manage the restaurant in
Oak Park, IL while Charleen became in charge of starting up and managing
Aunt Sally’s. Charleen employed her astute organizational and social skills
and her attention to detail, and Aunt Sally’s soon became a smashing success
to the point that Deniz was able to sell the restaurant in Oak Park in 1989.
Deniz and Charleen along with their son, Deniz, successfully ran Aunt Sally’s
together for decades.
Charleen was a wonderful mother and grandmother and a very dedicated
and loyal wife. She was a very caring and witty woman with a unique sense
of humor. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time with her family,
visiting the family cottage at Bass Lake, going out to dinner and playing the
slot machines. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her.