Ronald L. Stanko 1939-2025

He was born Jan. 25, 1939, in Warren, a son of Joseph and Francis Sally Oblenski Stanko.

Ron was a member of St. Stephen Church in Niles and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

He was a mechanical engineer in the fire protection business and was self-employed as the owner of Niles Lanes for over 20 years. He had seven 300 games and was the Navy’s ping pong champion. Ron was a Golden Glove boxing champion and was scouted as a pitcher by the Boston Red Sox.

Ron was a generous and kind person who would help anyone. One of his well-known deeds was passing out doughnuts to numerous people. He enjoyed cigars, motorcycles, old antique cars and watching the Cleveland Indians (he refused to call them the Guardians.)

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Marli Latrecchia Stanko, whom he married Jan. 24, 1960; two sons, Ronald “Chip” (Sherri) Stanko Jr. and Rodney Stanko, both of Niles; his daughter, Laura Kuriatnyk of Niles; two brothers, Robert Stanko of North Port, Florida, and Richard Stanko of San Ramon, California; six grandchildren, Nathan Stanko, Marli Upshire, Nicholas Stanko, Chelsea Stanko, Kory Kuriatnyk and Kennedy Stanko; two great-grandchildren, Cole Upshire and Liam Stanko; and his bowling partner, George “Geo” Kuriatnyk. They won the last bowling tournament at Wedgewood Lanes before it closed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at St. Stephen Church, Niles.

Family and friends may call 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at the Holloway-Williams Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 611 Robbins Ave., Niles.

Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery. Full military services will be held in observance of Ron’s dedicated and faithful service to his country.

Visit www.hollowaywilliamsfuneralhome.com to view this obituary and send condolences to the Stanko family.

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