Leonard Mitchko

Leonard Lenny Mitchko, 87, a lifelong resident of Olyphant, passed away peacefully Saturday morning at home.

Born in Peckville on Nov. 20, 1936, he was the son of the late Andrew and Jenny Wysochansky Mitchko. He attended Blakely High School where he was a proud member of the Blakely Bears football team and later, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served in the Korean War, Semper Fi! He was a devoted member of SS. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church in Olyphant, and served on several church committees. He was employed at the Trane Corporation, Specialty Records, Sugermans, and was a van driver for the Green Ridge Nursing Home. He took great pride in driving a district school bus, where you can always hear him leading the school children singing the Wheels on the Bus. He was a life member of the Marine Corps League, the Herbert Clark Post #180 American Legion in Throop, the Raymond Henry Post #327 American Legion in Olyphant, and the Shopa-Davey VFW Post #6082 in Peckville. He was an avid coin collector and enjoyed being a member of the Scranton Coin Club. He was a proud member of Queen City Hose Company #8 in Olyphant, and was on the zoning board in Olyphant.

He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, and always ending his phone calls with Grampa loves ya! He enjoyed collecting cans and tabs, and donating proceeds to the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton. He never missed a friend in the newspaper and helped mark all of their life milestones, always making sure the laminated announcement made it to them or their family.

He is survived by his seven children, Lorri Santarelli, Tuch, Shelly; David and wife, Lisa; Michael and wife, Jennifer; Jennifer and Jackie Mitchko; his 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many special and close friends. It was a joyous reunion in Heaven with his three sons, Leonard Jr., Andrew and John; and his beloved grandson, Marcus Santarelli.

Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jared Hill at Geisinger and Hospice of the Sacred Heart; his wonderful nurse, Maria; and compassionate aides, Charlene and Lori.

The funeral will be Friday, Sept. 20, at 9:30 a.m. from the John J. Turko & Sons Funeral Home, 402 Boulevard Ave., Dickson City, with a funeral Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. in SS. Cyril & Methodius Church, River Street, Olyphant, to be celebrated by the Rev. Nestor Iwasiw, pastor. Interment of cremated remains, with military honors, will be announced at a later date.

The viewing will be Thursday afternoon from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. There will be a Parastas service at 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions be made, in Lens memory, to the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center and/or the Marine Corps League.

Leonard Mitchko

September 14, 2024