Gerald Wayne Stanko

Gerald Wayne “Gerry” Stanko, age 67 of Massillon, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on November 29, 1941 in Massillon and was the son of Anna (Liska) Stanko and the late Frank Stanko. Gerry graduated from Washington High School in 1959 and attended both Wayne College and the University of Akron. He joined the Air Force and served his country in Germany during the Cold War as a telecommunication specialist. Gerry was honorably discharged as an Airman 2nd Class in 1965. Gerry served as a Massillon Auxiliary police officer for 10 years. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2003 after 25 years of service as a letter carrier. Gerry was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. His membership in the following organizations was evidence of his patriotism: Massillon American Legion Post221 where he was Sergeant-at-Arms and Sergeant Major of the Color/Honor Guard, Guard de La Port of the 40/8, member of the F.O.E. #190 and Esteemed Leading Knight of the B.P.O.E. #441. Gerry was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Indians, the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Air Force Academy and the Massillon Tigers. He was passionate about Corvettes. Along with his father, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank Stanko and Michael Stanko and his sister Kathy Eckert. He is survived by his wife Alice Stanko, whom he married in 2002, his sons, Beau and Brett Stanko both of Massillon, stepdaughters, Brenda Ricksecker of Strasburg, OH, Debby (Tim) Daniels of Chattanooga, TN, Kelly (Mike) Jones of Massillon and Suzanne (Steve) Leugers of Strongsville, OH, his mother Anna Stanko of Massillon, his sister, Jackie Stanko of Massillon, step grandchildren, Anthony Williams, Billy and Jimmy Whitman all of Strasburg; Taylor Raye Daniels of Chattanooga, TN, Julie, Johnny & Kenny Brown and Mindy & Jason Jones all of Massillon, 3 step great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many close friends. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1-5 P.M. at the Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place on Monday at Noon at the funeral home with Rev. Robert Brigham officiating. Burial will follow at Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone involved with his care in the past year. In lieu of flowers, contributions in the name of Gerry Stanko may be made to American Legion Post 221, P.O. Box 757 Massillon, Ohio 44648. Messages of support and sympathy may be sent to: www.arnoldlynch.com.