Dr. Joseph John Datko

    Joseph John Datko, 90, of Clarion, Pa, and formerly of Windber, Pa, died Monday, July 16, 2018, at Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  
    He was born March 10, 1928, the son of the late Mary (Fabry) and Matej Datko in Johnstown, Pa.  
    On August 27, 1960, he married Mary Kay Vinosky at St. Cyril and Methodius Church in Windber.  She preceded him in death on June 16, 2017.
    Dr. Datko is survived by two children, Dr. Darrell J. Datko, husband of the former Christie R. Mellott, of Clarion, and Dr. Donna Jean Datko, wife of Gregory Gossard of Richland Twp..  He is also survived by five grandchildren; Nathaniel and Eliza Datko and Autumn, Morgan, and Logan Gossard; three sisters, Ann, wife of the late Don Kris of Johnstown, Joan, wife of William Shepler of Georgia, and Christine, wife of John Bodie of Johnstown.  He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews as well.  
    He is preceded in death by two infant children, Damian and Dianna, as well as his sisters, Margaret Mascuch and Mary Prachick.  
    After graduating from the Greater Johnstown high school, he earned a scholarship to play football at Waynesburg College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.  He furthered his education by receiving a Masters of Education in both counselor education and school administration, and later a PhD in education.  He was a teacher of history and spanish at Danville High School and was a guidance counselor at Johnstown High School.  He served as a K-12 principal at the Fairfield school district.  From 1970-1994 he was the vice principal at Mt. Union High School.  
    Dr. Datko proudly served his country in the Korean War from 1951-1953 as a Sergeant in the US Army.  
    He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a Eucharistic minister at the Windber Medical Center and the Church of the Brethren Home in Windber, Pa for many years.  
    He was currently a member of the Immaculate Conception church in Clarion where he attended mass daily.  He also enjoyed exercising three times a week at the Clarion County YMCA. Friends received from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Meek & Dalla Valle Funeral Home, Inc., Windber. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Friday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Windber. Committal to follow at St.Mary Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Windber.
    Memorial donations may be made to YMCA of Clarion.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Joseph John Datko, please visit our floral store.