Joseph "Joe" Robert Slifka

Joseph Slifka, 80, of Madison, Alabama, passed away on June 21, 2025, in Huntsville, Alabama. He was born June 7, 1945, in Berwyn, Illinois to parents Joseph and Mildred Slifka.

Joe grew up in Berwyn, Illinois, graduating from Morton East High School. He later graduated from Morton Junior College, Cicero, Illinois, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville and a Master of Science Degree from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. Joe taught high school machine shop at Grayslake High School, Grayslake, Illinois. He was a Safety Manager and General Foreman at Electro-Motive Division (GM) in LaGrange, Illinois. He then worked as a Consultant at the National Safety Council, Itasca, Illinois, and later joined Gallagher Bassett Services (Rolling Meadows, Illinois) where he served as Executive Vice President. He retired from Gallagher Bassett in 2007.

Joe's enthusiasm for model railroading resulted in construction of an HO-gauge train layout that included scenery, tunnels, and buildings. During retirement, his love of trains led him to the North Alabama Railroad Museum, where he held the position of President for two years.

Joe loved hockey, traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada with his son, biked numerous trails and hundreds of miles with his daughter throughout Wisconsin, and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. The Chain O'Lakes in Antioch, Illinois was a special place for Joe as this is where he met Myra and spent many summers boating and fishing.

Joe is survived by his wife, Myra; children Lynn (Steve) Tulke, David (Kim) Slifka, and Mary (Kevin) Waters; grandchildren, David and Anna Tulke, Allison, Britton, and Sydney Slifka, and Abigail and Trevor Waters; sister Mildred Lebeda; cousin Carol Koblik.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mildred Slifka.

A memorial visitation will be held on June 24, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Legacy Chapel Funeral Home & Crematory, 16 Hughes Road, Madison, Alabama 35758.

The Funeral services will take place at Strang Funeral Home, 1055 Main Street, Antioch, Illinois 60002. Date and time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory can be made to: North Alabama Railroad Museum, Inc. 694 Chase Road NE Huntsville, AL 35811-1523, https:ljnarm.info/fund-raising-efforts/, or Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org/