Jeffrey James Gyurko

Jeffrey J. Gyurko, 86, of Uhrichsville, Ohio, passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by family and friends, on May 24, 2026. Jeff was born in Toledo, Ohio on June 28 1939 to the late George and Elizabeth (née Toth) Gyurko.

Jeff grew up in East Toledo where he was immersed in the culture of his Hungarian heritage of which he was so proud. He attended Birmingham Elementary School and was a graduate of Waite High School in 1957. Jeff then attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and after graduation moved on to receive his master’s degree from Youngstown State University. A gifted athlete, Jeff played football throughout his high school and college years, and he was a Golden Gloves boxer in high school, as well.

Jeff’s career in coaching and education is vast. He coached and taught for Toledo Public Schools, Columbus South, Salem, Fairless, Timken and Lehman High Schools before being blessed with the opportunity to start his storied career at Claymont High School in Uhrichsville. Jeff became the head football coach and history teacher at Claymont in 1974. He spent 24 years at Claymont High School where he was a coach, teacher, athletic director, assistant principal, and high school principal before retiring in 1998.

If you knew Jeff, you knew he wouldn’t stop educating that easily. Jeff spent his next years as the principal of Lakeland/Harrison Hills High School in Harrison County and 9 years as the principal of Strasburg High School. Jeff then kept teaching at Indian Valley Schools, Carrollton Schools, St. Mary’s Elementary and Buckeye Career Center. Jeff also spent 25 years officiating Junior and Senior High School girls’ basketball around the state of Ohio. Jeff loved his community dearly and served many years on the Uhrichsville City Council, helping to get the Uhrichsville Water Park built and opened.

Jeff’s proudest accomplishment was his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 54 years, Jerry L. (née Mullen) Gyurko, for whom he always had flowers on special occasions; their two daughters, Dawn Furniss and Liesl Gyurko; and two grandchildren, Grace Furniss and Espen Campbell. Jeff is also survived by so many special family members, including his sister and brother-in-law, Kristina and Rudy Schwarzkopf; nieces, Beth (Matt) Harrison, Shelley (DJ) Czerniejewski, Angela Mullen, Sheli (Joe) Dile, Trudy (Jeff) Nelson, and Terry (Phil) Barnes; and nephews, Mickey Gyurko and Scott (Jody) Mullen; and his godson, Fr. Rudi Schwarzkopf, Oblate of St. Francis DeSales.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elizabeth Gyurko; brother, George (Charlene) Gyurko; parents-in-laws, Alice and Earl Mullen; and sister- and brothers-in-law, Phyllis and Jack Green and Alfred Mullen.

Rev. Rudi Schwarzkopf, OSFS and Rev. Mark Unrue will officiate an 11:00 a.m. funeral on Monday, June 1, at First Presbyterian Church, 633 N. Main St., Uhrichsville, Ohio. He will be interred in Restlawn Cemetery in Perrysburg, Ohio on a future date. Family and friends are invited to call at the R. K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison, Ohio from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Twin City Christian Service Center.