Donald R. Gerik, Sr.

Donald R. Gerik, Sr., age 81, of West, passed away early Monday morning, June 25, 2018 at his residence. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 3:00 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Paul Hudson as celebrant, assisted by Deacon Ronnie Sykora. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. Donald was born February 17, 1937 in Tours, the son of Arnold A. Gerik, Sr. and Rosie (Berger) Gerik. He attended school in Tours and West. On September 5, 1970 he was united in marriage to Barbara Diane Hutyra. Donald served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, stationed at Shaw Airforce Base in South Carolina. He worked at Certain Teed for over thirty years, and at Vesuvius and Lochridge Priest, where he retired in 2011 as an AutoCAD drafter. Donald was a faithful member of St. Marys Catholic Church of the Assumption, served as Vice Commander for the American Legion, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2305 as well as a Fourth Degree Knight Assembly 2391 member. Donald was recently recognized with the Officer Award for his devoted service as the American Legion Vice Commander, Post 478 from 2010 to 2018. He was a tremendous dancer who enjoyed camping, boating on Lake Whitney, gardening, traveling, attending his Knights of Columbus and American Legion meetings, and spending time with his ever-growing family and especially his annual summer Gerik family reunions. Donald is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mona Zahirniak and husband Ernest; and brother-in-law James Hutyra. Survivors include his beloved wife of 47 years, Barbara Gerik of West; his children, Donald Gerik Jr. and wife Salvacion, Kathy Rejcek and husband Albert of West, Mike Gerik and wife Melissa, and Ronda Hanley and husband Denis Jr.; brothers, Arnold A. Gerik Jr. and wife Ruby, Bernard Gerik and wife Linda, Bruce Gerik and wife Pat and Brice Gerik and wife Robi; sisters, Marcia Prause and husband Joe and JoAnn Jones and husband Randy; grandchildren, Michael Gerik, Megan Parsons, Eric Rejcek, Amanda Peery, Zachary and Caleb Gerik, and Philip and Madeline Hanley; eight great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Michael Gerik, Eric Rejcek, Philip Hanley, Ben Davis, Robert Herdman and Bill Kline. Honorary pallbearers are the American Legion Post 478 and Fourth Degree Knights. Special thanks to Carol and Robert Herdman, Ben and Brenda Davis, and Bill and Roseanne Kline for all of their kindness, support and assistance during Donalds illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Marys Cemetery Association, or the charity of your choice.