Frank C. Stanko

FRANK C. STANKO, 81, of Shoemakersville, a retired auditor for the American General Life Insurance Company, died Monday morning at his home after a month long battle with cancer.

Born in Grossmirbisch, Austria in 1926 he and his sister Anna, emigrated to America in 1929 with their parents, Frank and Ida Klucaritz. Arriving at Ellis Island they settled originally in Trenton, New Jersey, later moving to Coplay, Pennsylvania.

In 1943, while Frank was attending St. Peter's Catholic School, Frank and his family became naturalized United States citizens in 1943. That same year, despite suffering from childhood polio Frank attempted to enlist in the U.S. Army, only to be told that his physical disability would preclude him from military service.

In 1950 he married Dorothy May Stanko (Serfass, predeceased August 26, 1985) while working at the Bethlehem Steel Company supporting the war effort. They had two children, Ronald C. (husband of Elaine) of Wyomissing, PA and Michael K. of Elizabethtown, PA.

Despite his disability, Frank, never shied from hard work. Starting as a bowling-pin spotter, he worked his way to soda fountain clerk, blacksmith helper, Bethlehem Steel laborer, Wilson Freight Line tractor trailer driver and, while living in Philadelphia, managed a horse drawn milk route for Harbison's Dairy. As he worked hard to support his family in a new land he landed a job with the OWL Burglar Alarm Company in Philadelphia (now Honeywell). He remained in this position until he joined the Knights Life Insurance Company (American General) earning several promotions before his retirement in 1987. On May 16, 1987 Frank married Josephine (Piechowski) in Auburn, New York. From their home in Auburn they began work with Fr. Matthew Swizdor a Franciscan priest renowned for his healing ministry. They traveled extensively with Fr. Swizdor including across the United States, and in the Virgin Islands and Canada as his assistants, keeping his calendar and preparing for his lecture series in parish communities. They assisted him until his death in 1999.

In 2000 he and Josephine returned to Berks County, where Frank had lived for 37 years to be closer to their family which now included four grandchildren: Rebecca, a Ph.D candidate at the Columbia Teachers College, New York City, N.Y., Robert, a Juris Doctor Candidate in May 2008 from the Penn State, Dickinson School of Law, Andrew (11), and Caty (8) 6th and 3rd grade, respectively, at Sacred Heart School in West Reading.

In his spare time Frank enjoyed working with his hands. His Grandfather clocks, Electronic Radio projects, patio and garage construction, and doll furniture will be treasured forever by his family as lasting reminders of his talents, generous spirit, and love for his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 12:00 PM in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Hamburg. Visitors may pay their respects Wednesday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home in West Reading and again on Thursday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the church.

For those wishing to make donations please do so in his name at either Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, P.O. Box 6217, Wyomissing, PA 19610, or St. Mary's Church, 94 Walnut Road, Hamburg, PA 19555. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com