Beverly Jean Sirok

A talented and resilient woman with a quick wit and wry sense of humor, Beverly Jean (Walker) (Tourjee) Sirok, 93, of Mishawaka, Indiana, died on November 16, 2023. 

Beverly Jean Walker was born in South Bend, IN on July 21, 1930 to Charles and Gladys (Moniz) Walker, who moved the family to New London, CT, where Beverly was raised, and where she met her husband.

Beverly married Everett Ralph Tourjee in 1948, when she was 17 years old. They welcomed their son John in 1949, followed by their daughters Sheryl, Margaret, Beverly, and Penny. Eventually they decided to move the family back to the South Bend area where she had been born. 

In 1957, at 26 years old and pregnant with their 5th child, Beverly was widowed when Everett died as pilot in an airplane accident. Pregnant and a stay-at-home mom, she scrambled to find work and establish a new foundation as a single mother providing for five children, in an era where employment was difficult for women, and there were little to no resources for single mothers. 

Beverly worked at a local factory for years before then getting a job as church secretary at First Church of God, where she had started taking her children, and began singing in the church choir. 

After 7 years of sacrifice as a widowed single mother, she married Steven Sirok in 1964. They were married for 52 years until his death in 2016. 

One of Beverly’s great joys in life was in being a grandmother to the 3 generations of grandchildren she welcomed and cherished. She found special ways of connecting with each of them and showing her love for them.

A talented artist, Beverly was skilled in painting, woodcarving, and many other artistic endeavors and crafts. Music was another joy in her life, and she had a beautiful singing voice. She sang both in choirs and on her own, often to her family. 

Beverly had an abounding faith in God, and a fervent belief in the forgiveness of sins through a relationship with Jesus Christ. She cherished her Bible and read it daily through to the end of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, her husbands Everett Ralph Tourjee and Steven Sirok, her daughter Sheryl (“Sheri”) Kennedy, and her great-granddaughter Jessica Miller. 

She is survived by son John Tourjee (Susan) in CO; daughters: Margi Vargo (Pete) in CO, Beverly (“Bev”) Anglin (Don) in IN, Penny DeBoe (Rich) in IN; stepsons: James Sirok in MP, Mark Sirok (Melissa) in IN; grandchildren: Lisa Neville, Shelly Alfrey, Lori Panning, Jasen Sirok, Heather Miller, Lys Damato, Zack Tourjee, Noelle Nevins, Donelle Flick, Donald Anglin, Steven Sirok, Kimberly Koci, Bethany Bryant, Gabrielle Anglin, Michael Vargo, Ryan DeBoe; many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews; and three great-great-grandchildren.

No services will be held. Palmer Funeral Homes – River Park Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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