Mildred Gerbick

1925 - 2017

Mildred "Mimi" Gerbick, age 91, ascended peacefully into heaven on February 22, 2017 surrounded by several members of her loving family. Mimi was born in Gary, Indiana on October 14, 1925 to parents Nikola and Stanica Samardzia. In addition to her parents, Mimi was preceded in death by her husband Mitchell Gerbick, brothers Michael and Bronco Samardzia and brother-in-law Gordon Gerbick. Mimi is survived by daughter Pamela Gerbick, Lombard, IL, sons Gary (Debbie) Gerbick, Chesterton, IN, Philip (Shannon) Gerbick, Dyer, IN, and Nicholas Gerbick, Bloomington, IN, grandchildren Kristen Stafford, Scott Gerbick, Justin Gerbick, Lauren Gerbick, Stephanie Gerbick and Matthew Gerbick, great grandsons Parker and Evan Stafford, sister-in-law Pauline Gerbick, nephew David Gerbick (Gordana) and numerous cousins, friends and dear Kumovi. Mimi lived a long, full life. She was a lifelong resident of northwest Indiana and a lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. Mimi grew up in the Glen Park section of Gary and was a 1943 graduate of Lew Wallace High School. As a teenager, Mimi truly enjoyed attending her brothers' high school sporting events. She married Mitchell in 1950, but was widowed in 1958. As such, Mimi's early adult years were focused on work and raising her four children. While Mimi worked a variety of jobs in the Glen Park and Merrillville area, the majority of her working years were spent as a bookkeeper in two positions. The first was with Mr. Aubrey Lovegrove, CPA, in Merrillville, IN followed by several years with George S. Olive & Co., a Merrillville-based regional public accounting firm, from where she retired. Throughout the years Mimi never forgot her Serbian faith and heritage. She cherished spending time with her extended family at programs, concerts, and picnics sponsored through St. Sava. In her later years, "Baba" Mimi loved watching her grandchildren and enjoyed attending their school functions and sporting events. Mimi also was an avid fan of Indiana University basketball, oftentimes retreating to her bedroom during televised games because she felt it brought the team good luck. Mimi was a past member of the St. Sava Serbian Sisters Circle and the Eastern Star, Olive Chapter 396. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Merrillville, IN. The family offers their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Brentwood Assisted Living of Hobart and Aseracare Hospice, Valparaiso, for the support and comfort provided to Mimi, especially in her final days. Visitation will be Friday, February 24, 2017 from 3pm to 7pm at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel. 7535 Taft St. Merrillville with a Pomen Service beginning at 7pm, V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017 directly at 10am at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St. Merrillville. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information please call Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840.