Frank Chelko Obituary

Frank A. Chelko, 93, of Harrison Township, passed peacefully from this world as he was surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 30, 2012. He was born April 2, 1919, in Brackenridge, to the late Julius and Mary (Knotek) Chelko. An Army Veteran of World War II, he served with the 79th Infantry Division as an advance scout. Among his many awards were the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the President's Unit Citation, the European Theater of Operation Medal and was in the D-Day Normandy Invasion. Along with family members, he had the opportunity to return to France on the 49th Anniversary of the invasion. After the war he opened his own butcher shop and grocery store. After the closing of his market, he operated Frank A. Chelko Printing until his retirement. Among many of his hobbies, he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and rebuilding motors. He had a passion for learning new things and was a mentor to family and friends. He built several houses for family members and himself. He loved his camp and spending time with his grandchildren. After his wife's passing, Jasmine, his golden retriever, gave him much comfort. Mr. Chelko was a lifelong member of St. Mathias Church, in Natrona. He was a member of VFW Post 894 of Natrona Heights and a Charter member of the American legion Post 226, Brackenridge and was the oldest member. Survivors include two sons, Francis L. Chelko (Galen), of Warriors Mark, and Bernard J. Chelko (Mona Jean), of Cabot; two daughters, Patricia (Robert) Lisco, of Harrison Township, and Judith (Lawrence) Wasierski, Harrison Township; nine grandchildren, Dana Lisco Susa, of Harrison Township, Jeffrey (Erica) Lisco, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Christopher Chelko, of Los Angeles, Calif., Matthew Chelko, of Cambridge, Mass., Nickolas (Maria) Chelko, of New York, N.Y., Andrew, of Atlanta, Ga., Brian Chelko, of Plum Boro, Jared Chelko, of Durham, N.C., and Kathryn Chelko, of Cabot; five great-grandchildren, Noah and Olivia Susa, of Harrison Township, Raegan and Chayse Lisco, of Ft. Lauderdale, and Noni, of New York; in addition to numerous nephews and nieces; and two brothers, Louis Chelko, of Cleveland, Ohio, and William Chelko (Frances), of Harrison Township. Besides his parents, Julius Chelko and Mary Rose Knotek, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Bernardine M. Jancech Chelko, who died March 27, 1999; brother, Joseph Chelko; two sisters, Rose Brestensky and Amelia Baranowski; and a grandson, Jason Chelko. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the KRYNICKI FUNERAL HOME INC., 1007 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Our Lady of Most Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Harrison Township. Full military honors will be accorded at the cemetery. Condolences maybe made at