Michael George Chermak

MICHAEL GEORGE CHERMAK A Funeral Mass will be held for Cortez resident, Michael George Chermak at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 3 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Visitation has been set for Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Mike was born the son of Michael George Chermak Jr. and Cecilia (Piecuch) Chermak on May 27, 1943 in El Paso, Texas. He passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Durango on Monday, December 31, 2007 at the age of 64. Raised in eastern Indiana, Mike graduated from Dyer Central High School in Dyer, Ind. He went on to attend TriState College in Angola, Ind. and to embark in a career in sales, advertising and working in the music industry. For the last 17 years, Mike was employed by Steve Keetch Motors as Parts Manager. He moved to the Mancos area in 1977. On April 3, 1982 he married Georgia Annetta Bennett in Mancos. Mike and Georgia moved to Cortez 2006. He loved the Colorado outdoor activities of hiking, biking, ATVing and exploring. Mike was known for his witty sense of humor and disarming, gracious personality. He was a gifted musician and entertained local organization with his skill at the accordion and piano. Mike is survived by his wife of 25 years, Georgia Chermak of Cortez; his sister, Michele Sullivan and husband, Peter of Wilmette, Ill.; four nephews, Michael Sullivan, Peter Sullivan, Matthew Sullivan, and Tommy Sullivan; and one niece, Claire Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his parents.