William Smitchko Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania Obituary

William Smitchko

William J. Smitchko, Sr., 84, of Clarence, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Born on January 19, 1930, in Clarence, he was the son of the late Joseph and Pauline Safko Smitchko. On June 21, 1955, in Renovo, he married Frances M. Kisko, who survives at home. William attended the Clarence School. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor. He worked at the JH France Refractories before and after the war, retiring in 2005. William was a member of the Queen of Archangel Roman Catholic Parish Church in Clarence. He was also a member of the Clarence American Legion Post #813 and the Snow Shoe VFW Post 5644. William loved his job at the brick yard and really wasn’t ready to retire but health restrictions and his age, forced him into retirement. He enjoyed being in the outdoors, whether it was working in the yard, sitting on the porch with his dogs, or going for rides in the car. His favorite things to do were watching Penn State football, watching all the old western shows, and watching the Lawrence Welk Show on Saturday night. William is survived by his wife; children, William J. Smitchko, Jr and his wife, Belinda of Snow Shoe, Kenneth L. Smitchko of Clarence, and Joanne C. Smitchko of Juneau, AK and brother, Steve Smitchko, Sr. of Clarence. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Dustin Shaw and Joshua Smitchko and by his faithful pets, Brandy and Maggie. William was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John Smitchko, and three sisters; Luella Jones, Mary Barber, and Evelyn “Tootsie” Bowmaster. Visitation with family and friends will be on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 from 6-8pm with a rosary service at 7:45pm at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Snow Shoe. Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 11am at the Queen of Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Clarence with Father Mark Reid officiating. Burial will follow with full military accord with be at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarence In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Pets Come First, 2451 General Potter Hwy, Centre Hall, PA 16828. Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, 106 W. Sycamore ST. Snow Shoe. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.
January 19, 1930 - April 12, 201401/19/193004/12/2014
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Obituary

William J. Smitchko, Sr., 84, of Clarence, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Born on January 19, 1930, in Clarence, he was the son of the late Joseph and Pauline Safko Smitchko. On June 21, 1955, in Renovo, he married Frances M. Kisko, who survives at home. William attended the Clarence School. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor. He worked at the JH France Refractories before and after the war, retiring in 2005. William was a member of the Queen of Archangel Roman Catholic Parish Church in Clarence. He was also a member of the Clarence American Legion Post #813 and the Snow Shoe VFW Post 5644. William loved his job at the brick yard and really wasn’t ready to retire but health restrictions and his age, forced him into retirement. He enjoyed being in the outdoors, whether it was working in the yard, sitting on the porch with his dogs, or going for rides in the car. His favorite things to do were watching Penn State football, watching all the old western shows, and watching the Lawrence Welk Show on Saturday night. William is survived by his wife; children, William J. Smitchko, Jr and his wife, Belinda of Snow Shoe, Kenneth L. Smitchko of Clarence, and Joanne C. Smitchko of Juneau, AK and brother, Steve Smitchko, Sr. of Clarence. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Dustin Shaw and Joshua Smitchko and by his faithful pets, Brandy and Maggie. William was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John Smitchko, and three sisters; Luella Jones, Mary Barber, and Evelyn “Tootsie” Bowmaster. Visitation with family and friends will be on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 from 6-8pm with a rosary service at 7:45pm at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Snow Shoe. Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 11am at the Queen of Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Clarence with Father Mark Reid officiating. Burial will follow with full military accord with be at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarence In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Pets Come First, 2451 General Potter Hwy, Centre Hall, PA 16828. Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, 106 W. Sycamore ST. Snow Shoe. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.

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Events

Apr
15
Visitation
Tuesday, April 15 2014
06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Daughenbaugh Funeral Home
106 W. Sycamore St.
SNOW SHOE, PA 16874
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Apr
16
Service
Wednesday, April 16 2014
11:00 AM
Queen of Archangels Church
102 Church St
CLARENCE, PA 16829
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