George Allen Bark M.D. Ph.D.

1959 - 2017

George Allen Bark, MD, PhD 1959—2017
George Allen Bark, MD, PhD, 57, of Paxton, IL passed away at 8:08 pm, Monday, July 24, 2017, at Carle Hospital, Urbana. George was born August 17, 1959, in Harvey, IL, the fourth of six children of Ralph Bark and Irene (Devert) Bark. He is survived by his fiancé, Denice A Wells of Ogden and her children, Ryan (Kasey) Wells of Sidney, Corey (Rebecca) Wells of Champaign, and Amy (Jacob) Wozniak of Fithian; five grandchildren, Kolten and Kadince Wells, Aiden and Elijah Wells, and Ella Wozniak; two brothers, Charlie (Cherie Herring) Bark of Marengo, David (Deborah) Bark of Pecatonica; two sisters, Ruth (Brian) Carus of Spring Grove, Lisa (John) Bakunowicz of McFarland, WI; sister-in-law, Dixie Bark; nieces and nephews include, Donna (Bark) Laboda, David Bark Jr., Randy Bark, Brad Bark, Kelly Bark, Amanda Carus, Jacob Carus, Andrea (Bakunowicz) Reinholtz, Nick Bakunowicz, and Barry Bakunowicz; and several great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Bark, all of Rockford, IL. George earned his Pre-Professional AS degree from Rock Valley College, in Rockford, IL May 1979. He then attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1979 -1994, earning his BS in Biology May 1981, MS in Biology May 1983, PhD in Nutritional Sciences May 1993, and MD May 1994. His MD/PhD degrees were earned simultaneously while being enrolled in the Medical Scholars Program (a dual degree program). George entered into a three year Family Practice (Rural) Residency Program at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN in 1994, serving as Chief Resident in his final year. He became Board Certified in Family Practice in 1997. His career choice brought him back to the area he loved the most in selecting to serve in Paxton as a small home town doc beginning in 1997, for Christie Clinic, followed by Provena Covenant Family Care Network, and eventually working for the best employer ever Gibson City Hospital in their Paxton Clinic. George loved Gibson City Hospital because they stood behind their motto of "Gibson Gets It." While serving the Paxton Community as a physician, George returned to the academic world once again by becoming a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign faculty member in the College of Medicine as a Clinical Instructor in Family Medicine beginning in February 2003. He was promoted to Clinical Assistant Professor in August 2007. He talked of submitting paperwork for a promotion to Clinical Associate Professor but "hadn't gotten around to it" yet. His greatest passion in his career were his patients, first and foremost, followed by teaching medical students who selected him to complete their Family Practice clerkship requirements. George had numerous personal interests which included hunting, fishing, golfing, and competition barbequing. He was a big supporter of the Fighting Illini as a season ticket holder in football and basketball and served as Gibson City Hospital's representative for the Fighting Illini Golf team. George became a Cubs fan 25 years ago because of Denice and her family. In May 2016, he organized a Cubs outing for 50 family and friends. He got his chance to see the future World Champions beat the Phillies that day!
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 29, at Engelbrecht Farms, 275 North 1400 East, Paxton, with Pastor Debra Domeier officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. A Celebration of Life Gathering will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Railside Golf Course Clubhouse, 120 West 19th St, Gibson City. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, at First Lutheran Church, 301 S College St, Paxton. Memorial contributions can be made to Gibson Area Hospital Foundation in memory of Dr. George Bark. These contributions will be used for rural medicine students. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is handling arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.