Joseph M. Demko

Joseph Demko, age 79, peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2013. Joseph was born in Toledo, Ohio on September 27, 1933 to Joseph and Irene (Kohany) Demko. Joseph and Dorothy Ann Babiak were united in marriage and shared 43 years together. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Joe was employed by L.O.F. Rossford Plant as a pipefitter for 30 years. He was a devout Catholic member of OLPH. He was also a member of the Maumee Elks and VFW Post #4906. He enjoyed golfing and attending his grandchildren's sporting events.

Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Ronald and John, sister, Arlene, wife, Dorothy (1998) and son-in-law, Kevin Szymanowski. Dad will be greatly missed by his children, Karen (Jack) Riddle, Janice Szymanowski and Cynthia (Kenneth) Yant. Grandchildren, Michael, Stephanie, Jonathan, Kevin, Stephen and Meagan; great-grandchildren, Kayley, Molly and two expected great grandsons; and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are brother, Richard (Pauline) Demko; sisters, Margaret Demko and Sandi (Richard) Capatosta; sisters-in-law, Verna Demko and Jean (David) Wozniak; brother-in-law, David (Connie) Babiak. The family would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who has touched his life during this last year.

The family will receive guests Wednesday, March 6, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo (419-381-1900) where members of the VFW Post #4906 will have a service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 9:45 a.m. in the funeral home followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2255 Central Grove. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Those wishing to make memorial donations may consider American Cancer Society or Kidney Foundation.

A pastor and his congregation went down to the shipyard to put a missionary on the ship to go to the mission field. They stood on the pier and watched until the ship sailed out of sight. When they were leaving someone said, "Well there he goes," and someone else said, "Yes, but somewhere, someone is saying 'here he comes.'" And so it is with us. As we are grieving and saying "He's gone," there are others who are rejoicing and saying "Here he is."