Obituary of Lyle Ronald Sherk

Lyle Ronald (Ron) Sherk passed away peacefully in Pearland, TX August 15th. He was born on Feb. 9, 1933 in Avon, PA to Eleanor Elizabeth Bemesderfer and Lyle Christian Sherk, who preceded him in death. Ron is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Louise Magorian, his children Karen (Kurt) Christensen, Joanna (Jorge) Guzman, DiAnn (Jon Ouellette) Sherk, and Scott Sherk, his siblings and their families Dick (Sharon) Sherk, Terry (Gail) Sherk, Sam (Connie) Sherk and Clara (Jim) Dunbar, and his beloved grandchildren Jamie Christensen, Keelia Otten, Tania Guzman, Luke Christensen, Adriana (Andres) Guzman, Galen Otten and Liam Ouellette. Ron grew up in Ephrata, PA and attended Ephrata High School. After graduation he joined the Air Force, serving as a radio technician and operator during the Korean War. He was stationed in France, Germany and Turkey. While in Ankara, Turkey, he met the love of his life Mary Lou, who was working with a satellite project in conjunction with the University of Nebraska. After finishing their contracts, they moved to Lincoln, NE and were married on Dec. 22, 1956. During their years in Nebraska, Ron worked for Walt’s Music, Dietz Music, American Stores and Metropolitan Life. At Met Life Ron worked as a sales agent, and then as sales manager. During this time, Ron and Mary Lou welcomed twins Karen and Joanna, then later DiAnn and Scott. When Ron was 42 he was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a severe form of arthritis. Ron and Mary Lou made the decision to move to a dryer climate, to help ease his symptoms, and moved to Littleton, Colorado. A few years after that, Ron went on disability. He developed an interest in genealogy research. He researched the Sherk family history and helped start the Sherk Family Association. He connected with family members from Pennsylvania to Canada to Switzerland and helped organize Sherk family reunions. He was the editor of the Sherk family newsletter for many years. Ron and Mary Lou lived a great life in Colorado and during this time welcomed their seven beloved grandchildren. Nothing was more important to Ron than spending time with his family, which included his many beloved pets over the years. In 2014 Ron and Mary Lou moved to Pearland, TX, where they have lived until the time of Ron’s death. Ron’s hobbies included caring for his pets, repairing antique radios, researching genealogy, vegetable gardening and spending time with his family. His wit, positivity, friendliness, love of music and storytelling will be greatly missed by his family! Donations may be made to The Arthritis Foundation, The Humane Society or The Parkinson’s Foundation.