Stan F. Petko

Stan F. Petko, 81, of Bath, passed away suddenly, on January 7, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg, surrounded by his loving family. Born on July 21, 1944, in Allentown, Stan was a man whose life was marked by dedication, love, and an extraordinary ability to create.
Stan was the son of the late Edward S. and Josephine (Loder) Petko. His journey through life was shared with his devoted wife of 61 years, Diane (Derrico) Petko, who together built a family that was his pride and joy. He was a guiding light to his daughter, Kim Petruska of Emmaus, and his son, Rick Petko, and his wife Brittany of Stroudsburg. His legacy continues through his adored grandchildren, Margaux, Everly, and Lucy, who will miss their grandfather's warmth and wisdom. Stan was predeceased by his brothers, Edward J. Petko and Paul Petko, with whom he now reunites in peace.
Stan's formative years were spent at Liberty High School, after which he honed his skills at Bethlehem Vo-Tech and expanded his knowledge at Penn State University. His professional life was diverse and fulfilling. Stan worked in sales for the former Bethlehem Steel Corp., where he honed his interpersonal and professional skills. Later, he served as the parts manager for Easton Buick, where his problem-solving abilities and technical expertise were greatly valued.
A man of faith and community, Stan was a faithful and active parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bath. His service to the church was multifaceted; he was a Eucharistic minister, a CCD program facilitator, and the founder of a guitar group, all of which allowed him to touch the lives of many with his spirituality and musical talents.
Stan's interests were as vast as his creativity. There wasn't a challenge he couldn't tackle, whether it was painting motorcycles with an artist's touch, building boats with the precision of a craftsman, or sailing the waters with the freedom of an explorer. He was also an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan.
Described by those who knew him best as handy and creative, Stan was the person you called when something was broken, knowing he would not only fix it but also teach you how his ingenious mind worked. His hands were rarely still, always crafting, building, or repairing, leaving a trail of masterpieces and memories.
Services: A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday January 13, 2026 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 210 E. Northampton Street, Bath, PA 18014. No calling hours. His burial will be private. Stan's arrangements are entrusted to Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.