Dr. Gerald Michael Buriok, 74, of Indiana, PA passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 8, 2017.
He passed away at the gym while he was enjoying a favorite pastime of exercising.
Jerry was born in 1943 in Heilwood, PA to the late Mike Buriok and Mary “Louise” McCloskey Buriok.
He was an active member of Calvary Presbyterian Church. He was surrounded by many loyal friends in his life. Jerry earned his doctoral degree in Doctorate of Education in Mathematics from Penn State University. He worked hard in his profession and received a variety of noted recognitions.
During the course of his career, he was a Math Professor and Computer Science Professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). During that time, he also served as the Department Chairperson
of the Mathematics Department. Jerry even stepped out of retirement to serve as the Acting Dean
of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at IUP when he was needed. Jerry was an exemplary employee and an exceptionally dedicated worker.
Jerry had a sense of humor that kept his friends and family laughing, along with keeping everyone on their toes. Jerry was well-known by his friends and loved ones for his passion for exercising. He was an avid runner and regularly seen at the gym working out. He enjoyed taking cruises and traveling with his wife, Marcia. They were active in the local IBDC (Indiana Ballroom Dance Club) and regularly participated in local dances within the community. Jerry enjoyed playing golf with his close friends whom he
affectionately called his “old guys golf group.”
Jerry got such joy out of spending time at his lake house and boat with his 5 grandchildren. Jerry spent his other free time “puttering around” in his yard.
Jerry is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Marcia, of over 50 years. They were a model example of a beautiful marriage filled with love, support, and encouragement for each other. He is survived by his daughter Stacie Mae Buriok Batchelor and son-in-law Donnie. He is survived by his son Michael William Buriok and daughter-in-law Becky. His 5 grandchildren were his pride and his joy. They are Blake Hunter Batchelor, Hannah Adelle Batchelor, Sarah Louise Batchelor, Michael Glenn Buriok, and Matthew
Dean Buriok. Jerry is survived by his sister Patricia Bartkovich, in-laws William R. Cosgray and Elizabeth Cosgray. He had 5 caring nieces and nephews, including Colleen, Jeffrey, Susan, William Jr., and Mary and an amazing number of great nieces/nephews. He is survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and caring friends.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Louise Buriok.
He will be greatly missed and all who knew him were blessed with him in our lives. We celebrate his life and his journey to God in Heaven.
Friends and families will be received from 2-4:00 and 7-9:00 p.m. on Sunday at Bowser Minich Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Indiana.
Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations will be received for Calvary Presbyterian Church of Indiana, PA (on the memo of the check, please include Jerry’s name) OR IUP’s exercise facility (checks made payable to the “Foundation for IUP”) on the memo of the check, please include Jerry’s name and “James G. Mill Center for Health and Fitness, Account 224728.”
