Mona Gerik Zahirniak

Mona (Gerik) Zahirniak, age 84, of West, passed away Sunday evening, March 11, 2018 at her daughter's residence in West. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Aderhold Funeral Home, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 11:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Marys Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Darrell Kostiha and Msgr. Isidore Rozycki as celebrants. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery near West. Mona was born November 2, 1933 in Tours, the daughter of Arnold A. and Rosie (Berger) Gerik. She attended Tours School and went back to school in her later years graduating in 1980 from West High School. On August 4, 1952, she was united in marriage to Ernest "Shorty" Zahirniak in Tours. Shorty preceded her in death on September 12, 2008. She was a homemaker and taught cake decorating classes at McLennnan Community College for many years. Mona also cooked meals for funeral, weddings, other gatherings and the Kiwanis Club each Wednesday. She was well known for her Angel Food Cakes. She was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption and worked in the gift shop years ago at the church. Mona was also a member of SPJST Lodge 54, where she ran the hall and audited the books; the 50/50 Club; Catholic Daughters of America Court #829, where she helped with bake sales; St. Anne's Altar Society; VFW Post #4819 Ladies Auxiliary, where she ran the hall and worked the kitchen for Bingo; and KJZT St. Ludmilla Society #11. She enjoyed playing bingo, sewing, ceramics, flower arranging, oil painting and spending time with her family. Mona is also preceded in death by her parents and sons, Ernest Zahirniak and Patrick Zahirniak. Survivors include her children, Shirley Gann and husband Roy of West, Paula "PK" Scott and husband Don of Waco, Darlene Luco and husband Jeff of Waco, Laurie Boyett and husband Jimmy of Robinson, James "Buck" Zahirniak of West, and Jackie Sinkule and husband Mark of West; a daughter-in-law, Melissa Zahirniak of Crowley; brothers, Arnold A. Gerik Jr. and wife Ruby, Donald Gerik and wife Barbara, 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; 22 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren with three on the way; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Wesley Zahirniak, Matthew Scott, Brice Beshear, Britt Beshear, Ryne Zahirniak, Mark Sinkule Jr, Zeb Sinkule and Nate Haddix. Honorary pallbearers are George Fidler, Robert Zahirniak and PeeWee Zahirniak. The family wishes to thank Mona's dedicated caregiver, Roxanne Fraga and Providence Hospice for their loving care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's School Endowment Fund.