AUSTINTOWN -  Walter Charko, 77, passed away peacefully Monday evening, Dec. 21, 2020, with his wife and daughter by his side.

Walter was born Nov. 23, 1943, in Wackerstein, Germany, and was a son of the late Iwan and Anna Sameluk Charko. Walter came to America and this area with his parents at the age of seven, and lived the remainder of his life in the area.

Mr. Charko attended Chaney High School and later earned a GED. He was a Sergeant with the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department, and retired from the department on disability in 1993. Walter also worked at Gran Lanes on Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown for many years, and in his younger days, he worked at the Schenley Theater and for U.S. Steel.

Mr. Charko was a member of the Mahoning County FOP, and of the Maennerchor Club. Walt enjoyed bowling, and was a big fan of the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns.

He was of the Presbyterian faith.

Walter leaves his wife, Cathi Marshall Charko, whom he married June 5, 2003; two daughters, Cheri (Colin) Hand of Arvada, Colo. and Ann (Bryan) Olin of Summerville, S.C.; two granddaughters, Cadence Hand and Lily Olin; his former wife and mother of his children, Beverly Goncy; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Kinnick Funeral Home in Youngstown, and funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the funeral home. If paying respects to the family or attending the service, please follow all current social distancing guidelines and health protocols. To those who cannot attend the visitation or services, or are uncomfortable doing so at this time, please keep and Walter and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Committal will follow the funeral home services on Wednesday, and will take place at Green Haven Memorial Gardens in Austintown.