Gary Dwayne Birk, 57, passed away suddenly Saturday, March 20, 2021, at home.

Gary was born Oct. 13, 1963, at St. Mary's Hospital in Cairo, Illinois, to Charles and Shirley Birk.

He grew up on the family farm which was a place of much joy to him. He graduated Egyptian High School with his many friends of the "great class of 1981."

In the spring of 1989, he reconnected with an old school friend, Yvonne Lessar, and one year later they eloped and were married April 16, 1990, at the home of Eric Wingo in Cape Girardeau. On Jan. 14, 1992, he welcomed his baby girl, Kara, to the family. A nervous dad, but he did all right and loved and taught her his skills as a sensei martial artist of kung fu through his own dojo, "Circle of the Iron Fist."

Gary was a former Illinois Department of Corrections correctional officer and was in the first group of employees who opened Shawnee Correctional Center. He later transferred to the federal system as a senior officer at USP Marion.

He is survived by his loving mother, Shirley Hornback Birk of Cape Girardeau; his soul mate of 30 years, Yvonne Birk; daughter, Kara (Scott) Green of St. Louis; sister, Gena (Raymond) Oxford of McClure, Illinois; his loving nieces and nephews and special great-niece and -nephew, Sarah and Philip Lessar. He is also survived by his fur baby, Bella Mia, as well as by his DOA group friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Birk, and a brother, Charles Birk Jr.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, officiated by the Honorable Jeff B. Farris. Burial will follow at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure, Illinois.

Memorial contributions may be made at St. Francis Care Shelter of Murphysboro, Illinois.