John A. Wanko Sr., 89, of Seville passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2010. He was born November 7, 1920 in Barberton to the late John A. and Anna (nee Perina) Wanko.
Mr. Wanko was a member of Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, was retired in 1986 from Medina Farmers Exchange Co. after 47 years of service to the Medina County Farmers and as Vice President and Co-Owner.
During his lifetime he was affiliated with the following; Medina County Farm Equipment Association, Medina Farmers Exchange Board of Directors, Honorary Member FFA chapter of Medina Co., honored by Sperry New Holland Machine Co for selling the most balers in one year (1956) in the USA and having them all delivered in one day, Medina County Society for Handicapped Citizens where he was a board member and Treasurer, and was instrumental in establishing Medina Co. Transit System, Wanko Memorial Home in Seville built in honor of his dedicated service to the society, Guilford Township Trustee for 16 years, President of Mound Hill Cemetery Township Committee, Medina County Emergency Management Board, 4-H Advisor for 40 years where he advised hundreds of students in tractor safety certification class and judged 4-H fair projects, was a proud 9-gallon Red Cross Blood Donor, was a committee member instrumental in building Medina Co. JVS, and spent most of his retirement helping local farmers as needed.
He was preceded in death by his son Johnny Wanko Jr., two brothers Samuel and Paul Wanko, and two sisters Ann Tefs and Mary Hamilton.
John is survived by his wife Faye R. Wanko (nee McCaman) with whom he would have celebrated 67 years of marriage on February 20, 2010, one daughter Bonnie (Lou) Childress of Millfield, OH, two sons Michael (Janice) Wanko of Parma Hts, OH and Steven Wanko of Alpine, WY, his grandchildren; Heather (Jeff) Warmke of Athens, OH, Brandon (Antonietta) Wanko of Medina, OH, Kristen (Justin) Bonner of Las Vegas, NV, Daniel Wood, Katherine Wood, Kelsey Wanko, all of Parma Heights, OH, Layla Bonner, Justin Bonner, Bailey Bonner, all of Las Vegas, NV, and Samantha Thoenig of Jackson Hole, WY, two great grandchildren Madison and Luke Warmke of Athens, OH, two brothers Merle (Norma) Wanko, Joseph (Joanne) Wanko, all of Seville, one sister Julia (Ivan Frase) of Rittman, and his sister-in-law Joan Wanko of Seville. There are many nieces and nephews also surviving.
The family will receive friends 2-4 & 6-8 PM Friday at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9282 Acme Rd, Seville where funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Saturday with Pastor Edward Kropa officiating. Interment Mound Hill Cemetery, Seville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9282 Acme Rd. Seville, OH 44273, or to the Society for Handicapped Citizens of Medina County Inc, 4283 Paradise Rd, Seville, OH 44273.