George Timko
George Timko age 91 of Perryopolis passed away, Monday, May 20, 2013. He was born in Vanderbilt, Pa. on May 1, 1922, the son of the late John and Anna Kranik Timko, Sr.
George was a lifetime member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Perryopolis, Pa. where he served in the choir and was occasionally a cantor, but what he will be remembered most for, is playing St. Nicholas for over 50 years. He worked as a Mason for the Brick Laborers Union in Monessen and retired after 30 years of dedicated service from U.S. Steel Christie Park.
He was a proud veteran serving in the Army, 104th Infantry Division, during World War II. He received the Purple Heart. He was a member of VFW Gold Star Post 7023 where he served as past Commander and Commander of the Honor Guard (Firing Squad)for all VFW functions for over 50 years.
He was also a member of Star Junction Gun Club and a social member of the Sokol Club of Perryopolis.
George loved to farm. He started when he was a little boy and continued on to buy his own farm, Pine Wood Acres. He raised cattle and chickens, and had an egg route throughout Perryopolis and surrounding communities.
He built his own green house and raised and sold plants. His favorite time for selling was Memorial Day Weekend. He was an avid grape grower and wine maker. He loved to hunt, and train his own English Setters and Springer Spaniels. He loved to deer hunt from his barn window, but fortunately, he never shot a deer. He also liked to do wood working, especially for the Christmas shows.
In later years he loved to visit the barn with his daughter, Patti and critique her and her horse, Genna.
He also loved going to horse shows to watch them compete.
He loved to travel and visit daughter Laura in Virginia and Colorado to see daughter Kathie where he experienced his first beloved Steelers Playoff game. He also traveled to Spain to visit son Kenneth at Rota Air Force base.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marian (Rabatin) Timko; four daughters: Rebecca Timko-Tomasiak and husband, Thomas of Donora, Pa., Patricia Timko-Snyder and husband, Charles of Perryopolis, Kathie Timko of Colorado, Laura Timko – Williams and husband Jim of Newport News, Va., and a son, Air Force Col. Kenneth J. Timko and wife, Colleen of Spain and a daughter-in-law, Joanna Timko and sons, Mark and Jeff of Saginaw, Michigan.
He was the proud grandfather to the following: Melissa Paul, John Emricko III and wife, Edwina, Thomas Tomasiak, Erin Lukas and husband , Drew, Stephanie Lovett and husband, Nick, Patrick Amador – Timko and wife Ajalee, Kayta Timko Maderia, Sean Tomasiak, Rylee Boone, Hannah Boone, Kaylee Tomasiak, Ian Tomasiak, Killian Timko, Cameron Timko and fourteen great grandchildren.
George is also survived by one brother, Michael Timko and wife , Joan of Perryopolis, and a loving Niece, JoAnn Ranchick and husband Jim.
He was preceded in death by son George Andrew Timko, his parents, and brothers, Peter and John Timko, and sisters Mary, Ann and Irene.
Friends will be received in the BLAIR-LOWTHER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 305 Rear Independence Street, Perryopolis, Pa Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday until 11 a.m. where a Mass of Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Perry-opolis, Pa. A Parastas service will be held Friday evening in the funeral home at 7 p.m. The Rev. Father Robert Halus will be the celebrant. Interment will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Perryopolis, Pa.
Graveside Military Rites will be accorded by VFW Gold Star Post 7023 and American Legion Post 752, all of Perryopolis.