Michael Evanko

Michael Evanko, 80, of Chapel Street, Swoyersville, passed away Thursday morning, May 24, 2007, at his home.
Born in Swoyersville, he was a son of the late Michael and Clara (Charnitsky) Evanko.
Before his retirement, Mr. Evanko was employed by the United Pants Company in Swoyersville. He was a member of Holy Family Parish, Luzerne.
Michael was a longtime member of the Luzerne Volunteer Fire Department, advancing to the rank of First Captain.
In January 1995, he was made a life member of the department and in April 2006, the department’s 2004 KME fire engine was dedicated to Michael for his more than 50 years of service.
Michael was a kind and gentle man who had a very caring and generous nature.
He portrayed those qualities by his constant availability to people who needed his assistance.
His passions were golf, darts, traveling and the Boston Red Sox. In 2004, his dream came true when the Red Sox “won it all.”
He also spent many hours managing and coaching baseball teams in the Luzerne Little League. Last but not least, if you had put a paint brush in his hand he would cover everything in sight with a fresh coat of paint.
He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Martha (Ziegler) Evanko; sister, Mary Ellen Sharp.
He is survived by his sister, Paulette Sherman and her husband, Frank, of Swoyersville, with whom he shared a home; brothers, John and his wife, Joan, Francis and his wife, Jurene, of Michigan, Bernard and his wife, Judy, of New Jersey; sisters, Margaret Perye and her husband, Glen, of Michigan, Agnes Schaffer and her husband, Ronald, of Florida; numerous nieces and nephews.
Michael is also survived by a niece, Martha Kay Sherman Seiger and her husband, George, to whom he was a surrogate father while her own father served overseas in Vietnam and other military assignments. Michael was also very close to Martha Kay’s two daughters, Angela Marie and Kristina Marie Seiger.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral at 10:45 a.m. Saturday from the Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Family Parish, 574 Bennett St., Luzerne, with the Rev. David Cappelloni, officiating. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Courtdale. Friends may call today from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Michael’s memory to the Luzerne Volunteer Fire Department, 66 Tener St., Luzerne, PA 18709.