George Sigman

1936-2014

George Jacob Sigman was born on February 2, 1936 (on ground hog day, the day that would decide how much longer our winter would last) in Whitewood, South Dakota. He went to school in Sturgis, SD up the eighth grade. He worked for his half-brother, Jim Sigman as a boy until he joined the U.S. Army. After the Army he worked in the oil field as a ‘rough neck’ with his brother, Darrell.

George’s father, Charles Thomas Sigman and mother, Bertha Pfeiffer were married on July 6, 1922. Charles had six children and Bertha had two children. In 1923 they moved north of Belle Fourche where they lived in a tent all summer. Charles helped build the road between Belle Fourche and Buffalo. Between road building and working for many farmers, Charles retired from the highway department in 1934. Charles and Bertha had five more children, Charles Williams, Dortha Mae, Darrell Eugene, Teddy Lee and George Jacob.

George married Margaret Olive Christensen on June 30, 1956. George left the oil fields to become a structural union iron worker in Wyoming. After he finished apprentice school they moved to Gary, Indiana.

George and Margaret had four children, Donald Leslie, Kevin Ray, Linda Jean and Rick Joe; eight grandchildren, Michael Jacob, Jeremy Daniel, Cassidy Lyn, Shayne Allen, Shanna Lyn, Christopher, Christina Marie and Nicole; 7 great-grandchildren, Kadie Michael, Kaleb Matthew, Marisa, Mazen Steel, Emma Lee, Micheal and Zack.

George worked forty years as a iron worker. He worded in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois and Saudi Arabia. He worked on the missile silos and power house energy plant out west and many high rise buildings in Chicago. He helped erect many steel mills in Chicago and Indiana and he also worked on many bridges in Chicago.

George was a specialist Third class at the age of 19 taking part in the Army’s Alaskan Exercise Moose Horn Big Delta area, 15 miles from the Arctic Circle. In November 1954 he was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division 4th regiment.

George retired in 1996 from Local One Union Ironworkers and moved to Pensacola, FL. He lived in Pensacola with Margaret after his don Don moved to the Pensacola area. All three children followed soon afterwards. Margaret has always watched after her children and grandchildren, this was their life!

George liked to travel, watch Nascar and football. He also enjoyed moving the grass and taking care of their house and car in his retirement. He did not say much but when he talked you should listen because it was worth hearing! Margaret passed away on January 29th, 2009 and picked passed in August 2011.

The funeral service was held at Oak Lawn Funeral Home on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 1pm with the visitation one hour prior. Interment took place at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL.