Obituary for John Wanko, Jr.

Ponca City Now - January 7, 2022 3:09 pm

John Wanko, Jr.

May 18, 1951 – January 4, 2022

John Francis Wanko, Jr., 70, of Newkirk, OK, left this life on January 4, 2022, in Stillwater, OK. No viewing is scheduled. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, January 10, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, with Father Zak Boazman officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Newkirk Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

John was born on May 18, 1951 in Ponca City, OK, to John Francis, Sr. and Helen (Schmidt) Wanko. He graduated from Newkirk High School in 1969. On March 16, 1973, he married Lou Ann Williams at St. Francis Catholic Church. To this marriage was born their daughter, Sharon L. (Wanko) Calfy, who was his whole world.

John worked as a foreman/supervisor for Christian International, Tripoli, Libya and JEA International, INC., in the Republic of Kazakhstan. He also retired from Quarter Turn in April 2021. John loved hot rods, air-boating and traveling. He enjoyed nature, being outside or on the river. He loved his daughter and grandkids and had many close friends who will miss him greatly.

He leaves to cherish his memory: daughter, Sharon Calfy and her husband, Allen, of Newkirk; grandchildren, Jamie and Torie (Calfy) Oakes, Brendon, Joseph and Aiden Calfy, of Newkirk; great-grandchildren, Lida, Fletcher and Daxtyn Oakes, of Newkirk; brother, Lewis L. Wanko and his wife, Vineta; sisters, Liz Maupin and her husband, Gary, Mary Schuchman; sister-in-law, Jerhonda Wanko, all of Newkirk, OK.

John is preceded in death by: his parents; one sister, Helen Caughlin; brothers, Donald Wanko and Larry Wanko; brothers-in-law, Don Caughlin, Ronnie Schuchman; sister-in-law, Jeannean (Carson) Wanko; nephews, James Wanko, Mark Caughlin, Jimmy Maupin, Russell Schuchman; nieces, Lea (Maupin) Meyer and Debra (Wanko) Blan.

Pallbearers will be Rance Bliss, Ryan Kersey, Matt Glaser, Aiden Calfy, Brendon Calfy and Joseph Calfy. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bruce Horinek, Clifford Locke, Alan Bliss, Doug Kersey, Brent Young and Timmy Glaser.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Marrifield, VA 22116-7023.

Source: Trout Funeral Home