Timothy John “T.J.” Buerk Jr., 35, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2020, in St. Clair.

T.J. was born January 10, 1985, in St. Louis, MO. The son of Tim Buerk, Debbie Stanley and John Stanley. He married Melissa Gulden May 13, 2006.

T.J. is survived by his grandma, Edna Buerk; parents: Tim Buerk, Debbie Stanley, and John Stanley; sisters: Brittany, Dezira, and Tiffany; wife, Melissa Gulden; sons: Dylon, Blake, Collin, and Arlo; grandson, Keagan; aunts, uncles, cousins, and so many more people whom loved him.

T.J. has joined his brother, Mike Reynolds, in Eternal Peace.

T.J. was beautifully broken and could make anyone laugh. His memories will live forever.

You are gone too soon but never forgotten. It’s said that love leaves its mark and you definitely left yours. You were a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, husband, uncle, cousin, grandson, and friend. But you were also so much more to so many. You were always there with a hug. You weren’t afraid to cry with us when we needed to get it out and then make us laugh when we were done. You had a way of taking other’s pain in to share the burden and then turning that pain into humor that I’ve never found in another being. Your laugh was contagious and your smile could light up a room. No matter your faults you always did your best to help everyone smile even through your darkest days! You were beautifully broken and your flaws just made you that much more valuable to every life you touched. Until we meet again, your memories will carry us through. We love you T.J. Fly high!

Brother

a person who is there when you need

him; someone who picks you up when

you fall; a person who sticks up for

you when no one else will;

a brother is always a friend.