George Wargo Jr.

George Wargo Jr., 82, of Seventh Street, Coaldale, died Friday, Jan. 18, in the St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale. He was the husband of Joan M. (Yelito) Wargo. They were married for 26 years.

A 1947 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, he entered the U.S. Air Force after graduation. A distinguished veteran, he rose to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, having served 27 years, from the Korean War era through the Vietnam War, retiring in 1974. He then worked five years as a civilian for the Department of the Navy.

He earned 16 separate accommodations and awards, including the Korean Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, the Republic of Korea Service Medal, the United Nations Service Ribbon, and a Bronze Star and U.S.A.F. Meritorious Medal for his achievements in Vietnam, having been deployed for two tours of duty.

Wargo was a member of the Coaldale American Legion Post 170, and St. John Slovak Lutheran Church, Lansford.

Born in Hazleton, he was a son of the late George and Helen (Chopko) Wargo.

Surviving are two daughters, Rebecca, wife of Lou LeWallen, and Jean Bates both of Gulf Port, Miss.; three sons, David Wargo of Valparaso, Fla., James Wargo of Rolla, Mo., and Bruce Surotchak of Tamaqua; a sister, June (Wargo) German of Cambridge, Ohio; a brother, Robert J., and his wife, Louise, in Florida; and three grandchildren, Stephen Surotchak, Stacie (Surotchak) Jasinski and Paul Wargo.

He was also preceded in death by a sister, Anna Mae Dempsher.

Service: Funeral service private. Interment with military honors, Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown. Call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua. Contributions in his name may be made to St. John Slovak Lutheran Church, 1 E. Abbott St., Lansford, Pa. 18232, or the Disabled American Veterans, Attn.: Gift Processing, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301. Online registry and condolences maybe signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.

Published in Times News on January 21, 2013