Francis J. Petko Sr.

Francis J. Petko Sr., 82, of Bethlehem, died Monday April 20, 2009 at St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Michael and Mary Polak Petko. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Irene C. Csaszar Petko.

Francis was a butcher who owned his own business for many years. He was a member of the former St. John Capistrano Catholic Church, Bethlehem. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and gave countless hours volunteering for the church in many different capacities. He was a veteran of the United States Army receiving the Army Occupation Medal Japan, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Ribbon.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Irene; children, Mary Carol Bartley, Francis J. Petko, Jr., Timothy J. Petko, Jayne Hartzog, Rita Petko-Sands, Regina Gottshall, Nancy Winkler, and Christopher Petko; sister, Anna Mae Kusinic; grandchildren, Justin, Erika, Gregory, Ann, David Jon, Jesse, Leah, Zachary, Harley, Taylor, Roxy, and Blaze; great-granddaughter, Sidney. He was preceded in death by children, Irene and Richard; six brothers, and two sisters.