Eugene Frank Tarka, PhD.

Dr. Eugene Frank Tarka, PhD., 80, of Ashland, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at the Ashland Healthcare Center in Ashland. He was born March 25, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, a son of the late Frank and Catherine (Blahut) Tarka. He was a graduate of Webber High School in Chicago, Illinois, and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola of Chicago University, his Masters of Science degree from Western Illinois University in McComb, Illinois. While he was attending Buffalo University, he was united in marriage to his wife of 51 years, Donna Johnson on January 11, 1962. Dr. Tarka earned his PhD from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in the Korean War. Dr. Tarka conducted research in Microbiology at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Along with his wife Donna, he is also survived by a daughter: Kim Tarka (Darryl Wilkinson) of New Bloomfield; two sons: Bruce Tarka of Ashland and Michael Tarka (Kenna Weber) of Columbia; and five grandchildren: Nikolas Wilkinson, Eric Wilkinson, Veronica Tarka, Catherine Tarka, and Liam Weber. He was also preceded in death by two sisters: Virginia Lochton and Alice Mantis. Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 17, 2013, at the Slater-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Holts Summit. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00 p.m., Friday, at the Slater-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, with Fr. Joseph Kopka. Expressions of sympathy may be made to a Charity of the Donor's Choice. Arrangements are under the direction of SLATER-MILLARD Family Funeral Chapel, 540 South Summit Drive; Holts Summit, MO 65043. (573) 896-5959. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com