John S. Petronka, 88 of Washington passed away peacefully on Thursday-December 2, 2021 in his home with his family by his side. He was born October 11, 1933 in Washington PA the son of the late Stephan and Mary Kopcha Petronka. Mr. Petronka was a 1951 graduate of Washington High School where he played clarinet in the marching band and was a four year letterman on the wrestling team. After graduating high school he went on to serve in the United States Navy from 1952 until 1956 as a Seabee during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr. Petronka enrolled at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana on the GI Bill where he earned his B.A. Degree in Police Administration with a minor in Psychology. While attending Indiana University, Mr. Petronka was also a member of the wrestling team for four years. Following his graduation from Indiana University, Mr. Petronka began a work career which included employment with the Liquor Control Board and the Department of Public Welfare. He also was a licensed realtor, the owner of Sentinel Security and had previously worked as a police officer and supervisor for North Franklin Twp. Mr. Petronka was a life time member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Canonsburg. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and dancing to Polka music. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a true family man whose family meant everything to him. Nothing was more important to him than his family and he made many sacrifices throughout his life to see that they were taken care of and provided for. He will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him.

On September 26, 1965 he married Geraldine “Geri” Petronka who survives. Also surviving is a son, Chris (Wendy) Petronka of Washington; three daughters, Dr. Kathleen Hutton-Klein and Dr. Jeff Klein of Newport Beach, California, Dr. Amy Hutton McIlwaine and John McIlwaine of Newton, Massachusetts and Sandra (George) Winter of Presto, PA; one brother, Nick Petronka of Washington; two sisters, Eva (Dr. John) Chupinsky of Washington and Olga Povich of Houston, PA; nine grandchildren, Elan, Luke, Dora, Paytra, Isabela, Evan, Bram, Sean and Conor. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Petronka was preceded in death by four brothers, Frank and Pete Petronka and Michael and Alex Petronka who died in infancy.

Friends will be received on Tuesday-December 7, 2021 from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 P.M. in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at East Katherine Ave., Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Supervisor/Director, Holly Renay Warco, Director, S. Timothy Warco II, Director, Park N. Crosier, Director. A Parastas Service will be held at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday in the funeral home. At the request of the family, all guests visiting the funeral home are kindly asked to wear a facial covering. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday-December 8, 2021 in St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 601 Boone Ave. Canonsburg PA 15317 with Father John Kotalik officiating. Those attending the funeral service are asked to go directly to the church on Wednesday. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post # 175 and the United States Navy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com

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