IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Joseph Dennis
Simko
May 18, 1949 – February 18, 2019
Obituary
Joseph Dennis Simko, of Sharon, passed away unexpectedly of kidney disease and bone cancer Monday morning (Feb. 18, 2019). He was 69.
Joe was born May 18, 1949, in Latrobe, Pa., a son of Joseph A. and Stella (Guzic) Simko.
A 1967 graduate of Greater Latrobe Senior High School, Joe earned his bachelor of science degree in elementary education with a specialty in industrial arts from California University of Pennsylvania in 1973, where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He received his master's degree in industrial management from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Mich., and he served in the Army during the Vietnam era.
Joe retired in November 2013 as vice president of business development from Hodge Foundry, Inc., Greenville, where he was also a prior owner, president, and general manager. Prior to Hodge Foundry, Joe was employed: as vice president of operations at Ellwood Engineered Castings, Hubbard; as a plant manager at Valley Vulcan Mold, Hubbard; and he worked in various capacities at Vulcan Mold and Iron, Trenton, Mich., and Latrobe.
During his retirement, Joe formed Simko Foundry Solutions, LLC, where he served as managing director.
He served on the boards of various organizations, including Penn-Northwest Development, UPMC Horizon Hospitals, Mercer County American Heart Association, and the Thiel College Board of Trustees. Joe was also a member of the Ductile Iron Society, the American Nuclear Society, the American Welding Society, and the American Wind Energy Association. He served as a national director of the American Foundry Society (AFS) from 2009-2013.
A devout Catholic, Joe was an active member of St. Joseph Church, Sharon, and was a past president of the parish council. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Sharon Council 684, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Sharon Assembly 960.
Joe, "Joe Bob" to his closest friends, loved NASCAR and was a fan of Harry Gant. He was a member of the Shenango Valley and Three Rivers Corvette clubs and enjoyed attending car shows. Joe was also a diehard fan of the University of Michigan football team, as well as a 25-plus year season-ticket holder of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Joe's first wife, the former Sharon "Sherry" Peffer, whom he married June 17, 1972, passed away on Sept. 23, 1994.
Surviving are: his wife, the former Camilla "Kim" Dowling, whom he married July 26, 1997; a daughter, Jennie L. Simko, Sharon; a son, Joseph A. Simko (Monica), Clark; and two grandchildren, Joseph Lukas and Morgan Sharon Simko. They were the light of his life and affectionately called him PopPop. Joe also leaves his father- and mother-in-law, Jerry and Polly Dowling, Farrell; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Carol (Peffer) Bash (Ron), Ligonier, Pa., Kevin Dowling (Maria) Gibsonia, Pa., Chris Dowling (Joy), Zephyr Hills, Fla., Maureen (Dowling) Skinner (Jody), Bedford, Wyo., Anne (Dowling) Lombardi (Pete), Brookfield, Mary (Dowling) Rauch, Sharon, Tom Dowling (Liz), Philadelphia, Nora (Dowling) Songer, Hermitage, and Katie (Dowling) Campbell (Diondrae), Clermont, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and first wife, Joe was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara (Simko) Stopa (Raymond).
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Foundry Educational Foundation (www.fefinc.org), The Community Library of the Shenango Valley or Saint Joseph's Church Food Pantry.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Fresenius Medical Care, Hermitage, for the compassionate care not only of Joe, but of his family, during his illness.
Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday (2-21-19) in J. BRADLEY MCGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
Service: Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Friday (2-22-19) in St. Joseph Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Thomas Whitman, pastor, as celebrant.
Burial: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.
Joe was born May 18, 1949, in Latrobe, Pa., a son of Joseph A. and Stella (Guzic) Simko.
A 1967 graduate of Greater Latrobe Senior High School, Joe earned his bachelor of science degree in elementary education with a specialty in industrial arts from California University of Pennsylvania in 1973, where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He received his master's degree in industrial management from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Mich., and he served in the Army during the Vietnam era.
Joe retired in November 2013 as vice president of business development from Hodge Foundry, Inc., Greenville, where he was also a prior owner, president, and general manager. Prior to Hodge Foundry, Joe was employed: as vice president of operations at Ellwood Engineered Castings, Hubbard; as a plant manager at Valley Vulcan Mold, Hubbard; and he worked in various capacities at Vulcan Mold and Iron, Trenton, Mich., and Latrobe.
During his retirement, Joe formed Simko Foundry Solutions, LLC, where he served as managing director.
He served on the boards of various organizations, including Penn-Northwest Development, UPMC Horizon Hospitals, Mercer County American Heart Association, and the Thiel College Board of Trustees. Joe was also a member of the Ductile Iron Society, the American Nuclear Society, the American Welding Society, and the American Wind Energy Association. He served as a national director of the American Foundry Society (AFS) from 2009-2013.
A devout Catholic, Joe was an active member of St. Joseph Church, Sharon, and was a past president of the parish council. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Sharon Council 684, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Sharon Assembly 960.
Joe, "Joe Bob" to his closest friends, loved NASCAR and was a fan of Harry Gant. He was a member of the Shenango Valley and Three Rivers Corvette clubs and enjoyed attending car shows. Joe was also a diehard fan of the University of Michigan football team, as well as a 25-plus year season-ticket holder of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Joe's first wife, the former Sharon "Sherry" Peffer, whom he married June 17, 1972, passed away on Sept. 23, 1994.
Surviving are: his wife, the former Camilla "Kim" Dowling, whom he married July 26, 1997; a daughter, Jennie L. Simko, Sharon; a son, Joseph A. Simko (Monica), Clark; and two grandchildren, Joseph Lukas and Morgan Sharon Simko. They were the light of his life and affectionately called him PopPop. Joe also leaves his father- and mother-in-law, Jerry and Polly Dowling, Farrell; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Carol (Peffer) Bash (Ron), Ligonier, Pa., Kevin Dowling (Maria) Gibsonia, Pa., Chris Dowling (Joy), Zephyr Hills, Fla., Maureen (Dowling) Skinner (Jody), Bedford, Wyo., Anne (Dowling) Lombardi (Pete), Brookfield, Mary (Dowling) Rauch, Sharon, Tom Dowling (Liz), Philadelphia, Nora (Dowling) Songer, Hermitage, and Katie (Dowling) Campbell (Diondrae), Clermont, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and first wife, Joe was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara (Simko) Stopa (Raymond).
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Foundry Educational Foundation (www.fefinc.org), The Community Library of the Shenango Valley or Saint Joseph's Church Food Pantry.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Fresenius Medical Care, Hermitage, for the compassionate care not only of Joe, but of his family, during his illness.
Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday (2-21-19) in J. BRADLEY MCGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
Service: Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Friday (2-22-19) in St. Joseph Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Thomas Whitman, pastor, as celebrant.
Burial: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Dennis Simko, please visit our flower store.
Services
Calling Hours
February
21
J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.
4:00 - 8:00 pm
Funeral Mass
February
22
St. Joseph's Church
Starts at 11:00 am
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