May 1, 2002 2 min read

Joseph E. Luko, 80, of Daisytown, Pa., died Monday, April 29, 2002, at his residence following a lengthy illness. He was born November 10, 1921, in Masontown, Pa., son of Joseph E. Luko Sr. and Emma Luko.

Mr. Luko was a Steelworker and also a Coal Miner who worked most of his career at the Jones & Laughlin’s Vesta 4 and Vesta 5 mines before retiring in 1982.

He belonged to St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Daisytown, Centerville American Legion, Hancock-McCune-Horne Post 705, and United Mine Workers of America Local 762.

Mr. Luko was a Veteran of World War II who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1941 to 1945 and attained the rank of Corporal. He served in the South Pacific and participated in several engagements including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Atoll, Gilbert Island, Saipan, and the Marianna Islands among others. On June 15, 1944, he was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart.

Two sisters, Marie Volcheck and Emma Murphy, two brothers, Frank and Steve Luko, and his parents preceded him in death.

On October 17, 1946, he married Irene Singleton Luko, who survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Darlene and her husband George Lincoski of Daisytown, Pa.; three sons: Terry Luko and his wife Cindy of Coal Center, Pa., Steve Luko of Daisytown, and John Luko and his wife Pam of Coal Center; two sisters: Elsie Bohna of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Rosella Lippart of Twinsburg, Ohio; two brothers: James Luko of Harrisburg, Pa., and John Luko of Coal Center; six grandchildren: Tammy Lincoski, George Lincoski, Dana Luko, Terry Luko, Joshua Luko, and Kristina Luko; three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received in the GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME, 2830 Main Street, Route 40, Beallsville, Pa., today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. where Prayers will be said Thursday, May 2, at 1 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 1:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Daisytown, with Rev. Fr. Francis Jurewicz as Celebrant.

Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Coal Center, where Full Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Marine Military Police Company B and by the United States Marine Veterans Incorporated.