Bernard W. “Bernie” Stanek, 87, of Canonsburg passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 24, 2022 surrounded by his wife and four children. He was born July 2, 1935 in Cymbria County, PA, the son of the late John and Frances Kozdeba Stanek.  Mr. Stanek was a 1953 graduate of Barnesboro High School and went on to serve in the United States Army from 1958-1960.  His dream was to be a State Policeman and he was a proud graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 1962.  He served Washington County with the Pennsylvania State Police Troop B as a detective for 28 years until his retirement in 1990.  After retirement, he served as a Washington County Deputy Coroner and owned and operated his own carpentry business, Stanek Enterprises. Mr. Stanek spent much of his retirement traveling with his wife and enjoying time with his children and grandchildren.  He was a member of St. Patrick Church of the St. Oscar Romero Parish in Canonsburg. In 2020, Mr. Stanek published a book entitled, The Road to Justice, a true story of his successful attempt to solve the mystery of a headless body discovered in Washington County in 1988. 

Mr. Stanek will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years,  Alma R. Diethrich.   His is also survived by his children, Rhonda (Ernie) Petit of Jamison, PA, Randy (Laurie) Stanek of Naples, FL, Bernie (Sue) Stanek of Asheville, NC,  and Brenda (George) Scott of Washington, PA.  Also surviving are his brother, Bill (Ella) Stanek of Cranberrry Twp., PA and eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Stanek, Lance Gifford, Sydney Gifford, Georgette Scott, Mitchell Stanek, Gracie Stanek, Bethanie Scott and Cooper Scott. In addition to his mother and father, Mr. Stanek was preceded in death by one sister and nine brothers.

Friends will be received from 6-8 P.M. on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 and from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., 336 Wilson Ave., Washington, PA.  A prayer service will be held at 9 A.M. on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. at St. Patrick Church, St. Oscar Romero Parish, 317 W. Pike St., Canonsburg, PA. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray, PA.  Full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post # 175 and the United States Army. A reception will follow the burial at Southpointe Golf Club.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pennsylvania State Police Historical, Educational and Memorial Center at www.psp-hemc.org.  Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.