Mark S. Jurek

Mark S. Jurek, 71 of Whiting, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 13, 2018 surrounded by his family at his residence. He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Eileen (nee Gallas); loving father of  Jen (Nicholas Enna) Jurek and Stacey (David) Overholt; adoring Popo of Ripley and Carter; cherished brother of Theresa (Jim) Florek, Jim (Carol), Steven (Peggy), Celeste (Dan) Motherwell, Dennis, Tom (Marcy) and Annie (Rick) Schutz; dearest brother-in-law of Elaine (late Andy) Barlo and Gloria (Mark) Chitambar: dear nephew of Dolores White; proud uncle of many nieces and nephews.  

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, 10:30am at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th St., Whiting; a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting with the Rev. Mark R. Peres, C.PP.S., officiating; memorial visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday morning from 9:00am to time of services.

Mark Jurek was born on April 17, 1947 to Stephen J. and Anne V. (Ruzbasan) Jurek and was a lifelong resident of the Whiting-Robertsdale Community. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting where he had served on the parish council and had attended daily Mass on a regular basis. Mark was a very active member of the Marian Theatre Guild, working on countless productions and had served as the guild’s master carpenter for many years. A US Air Force Veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict, he was stationed in Okinawa and had attained the rank of sergeant. He was a graduate of Brunnerdale Seminary, Canton, Ohio and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Calumet College of St. Joseph, Hammond. He was a retiree of the Arcelor-Mittal (LTV) Steel Co., East Chicago with over 40 years of service. Mark enjoyed fishing, sail boating, swimming at the Hammond Civic Center, carpentry, running (he had run 3 Chicago Marathons) the theatre and working with his buddies on shows at the Marian Theatre Guild. He understood the need for volunteerism and had given much time to everything from working on signs for the Pierogi Fest to helping to decorate the church for holidays. A devoted husband, dad and Popo, Mark will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Marian Theatre Guild or to Forever Blue & Gold (St. John School Alumni Association) would be appreciated. 

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