Obituary for Stephen Futchko Jr.
Stephen Futchko, Jr., 85, of Hummelstown, passed away Saturday, March 4, 2017, in the M.S. Hershey Medical Center with his family by his side.
Born in St. Clair on March 22, 1931, he was the son of the late Stephen Futchko, Sr. and Anna Lagaza Futchko.
Steve retired in 1993 from Lower Dauphin High school, Hummelstown, where he taught social studies and later became the supervisor of the department. During his 31 years at Lower Dauphin, Steve was also a football and basketball coach. Throughout the summers he worked as a house painter with the L.D. Painters, a group of Lower Dauphin teachers. He was a 1949 graduate of the former St. Clair High School before continuing his education at Shippensburg University receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Studies in 1956, and Master’s Degree in Social Studies and History in 1962. Steve was an U.S. Navy veteran having served during the Korean War. During his time in the service, Steve played softball with the Navy championship softball team.
Steve was a member of St. Ann’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Harrisburg. He sang in the Anthracite Byzantine Male Chorus in Schuylkill County. He enjoyed polka dancing, and belonged to several clubs including the Lebanon Polka Pals, White Rose Polka Club, York, and Capital City Polka Club, Harrisburg. Steve played on the former Hob Nob Softball Team. He was also an avid sports fan, especially enjoying Penn State Football, Phillies Baseball, and Eagles Football teams. Above all else, Steve was a devoted and loving husband, father, and Didu (grandfather).
Steve is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gloria A. Souto Futchko, whom he married on September 22, 1962; a son, Stephen J. Futchko, III, husband of Amy of Schwenksville; two grandchildren, Zachary Futchko and Megan Futchko; a sister, Dolores Smith of St. Clair; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Marshall and Isabellie Brown; and four brothers, Edward Futchko, John Futchko, Joseph Futchko, and Andrew Futchko.
Funeral Divine Liturgy will be held Thursday, March 9, 2017, at 12:00 noon in St. Ann’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 5408 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, with The Rev. Fr. Michael G. Popson, his pastor, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. The viewings will be held in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, from 6 to 8 PM, and again on Thursday from 10:15 to 11:15 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lebanon VA Medical Center, 1700 South Lincoln Avenue, Lebanon, PA 17042; or to the Four Diamonds Fund, c/o M. S. Hershey Medical Center, Office of University Development and Alumni Relations, PO Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033; or to the American Heart/Stroke Association, Capital Region, 1019 Mumma Road, Wormleysburg, PA 17043.
Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.
Born in St. Clair on March 22, 1931, he was the son of the late Stephen Futchko, Sr. and Anna Lagaza Futchko.
Steve retired in 1993 from Lower Dauphin High school, Hummelstown, where he taught social studies and later became the supervisor of the department. During his 31 years at Lower Dauphin, Steve was also a football and basketball coach. Throughout the summers he worked as a house painter with the L.D. Painters, a group of Lower Dauphin teachers. He was a 1949 graduate of the former St. Clair High School before continuing his education at Shippensburg University receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Studies in 1956, and Master’s Degree in Social Studies and History in 1962. Steve was an U.S. Navy veteran having served during the Korean War. During his time in the service, Steve played softball with the Navy championship softball team.
Steve was a member of St. Ann’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Harrisburg. He sang in the Anthracite Byzantine Male Chorus in Schuylkill County. He enjoyed polka dancing, and belonged to several clubs including the Lebanon Polka Pals, White Rose Polka Club, York, and Capital City Polka Club, Harrisburg. Steve played on the former Hob Nob Softball Team. He was also an avid sports fan, especially enjoying Penn State Football, Phillies Baseball, and Eagles Football teams. Above all else, Steve was a devoted and loving husband, father, and Didu (grandfather).
Steve is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gloria A. Souto Futchko, whom he married on September 22, 1962; a son, Stephen J. Futchko, III, husband of Amy of Schwenksville; two grandchildren, Zachary Futchko and Megan Futchko; a sister, Dolores Smith of St. Clair; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Marshall and Isabellie Brown; and four brothers, Edward Futchko, John Futchko, Joseph Futchko, and Andrew Futchko.
Funeral Divine Liturgy will be held Thursday, March 9, 2017, at 12:00 noon in St. Ann’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 5408 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, with The Rev. Fr. Michael G. Popson, his pastor, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. The viewings will be held in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, from 6 to 8 PM, and again on Thursday from 10:15 to 11:15 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lebanon VA Medical Center, 1700 South Lincoln Avenue, Lebanon, PA 17042; or to the Four Diamonds Fund, c/o M. S. Hershey Medical Center, Office of University Development and Alumni Relations, PO Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033; or to the American Heart/Stroke Association, Capital Region, 1019 Mumma Road, Wormleysburg, PA 17043.
Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.