Bernard C. Gerik

Bernard Cyril "Bennie" Gerik, age 80, of Waco, passed away early Monday morning, February 23, 2009 in Waco. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Stephen Nesrsta as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Bennie was born on August 25, 1928 in West, the son of William M. and Amalie (Karlik) Gerik. He attended St. Mary's School in West. Bennie worked on the family farm for most of his life. He enjoyed watching westerns on television, especially Gunsmoke and Bonanza. Bennie was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. He is preceded in death by four brothers, Edward Gerik, Joseph Gerik, Daniel J. Gerik, and Frankie Gerik; two sisters, Irene Gerik and Mary Jane Gerik; one brother-in-law, Edwin Nesrsta; and one sister-in-law, Nona Jean Gerik. Survivors include two brothers, Johnny Gerik and wife Evelyn and Marvin Gerik, all of West; one sister Doris Nesrsta of Abbott; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption or to the Seminarian Fund.