Edward J. (Toodles) Kolanko
December 15, 1922 ~ August 6, 2007
Edward J. “Toodles” Kolanko, 84, of Weirton, passed away Monday, August 06, 2007 at his daughter’s home in New Cumberland. Born December 15, 1922 in Weirton, he was the son of the late John and Mary Kukula Kolanko. He was also preceded in death by his wife Bernice on July 5, 2007; grandson, Charles Edward Kolanko; brothers Anthony, Joseph and Frank Kolanko and sister Stella Sullivan.
With 38 years of service, Edward retired from Weirton Steel where he worked as a foreman in the shipping department of the Tin Mill. After retiring from Weirton Steel, he worked as a custodian for St. Paul parish. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus 3734, Holy Name Society, VFW 2716, Weirton Steel 25-Year Club and Madonna Athletic Boosters Club. He served as past equipment manager for Madonna football and coached Jr. Dons Football and is known as “Coach” by many. He served in the US Navy during World War II. He actively donated and supported pro-life initiatives in the valley and supported the First Amendment Rights to display the Nativity scene in Weirton.
Edward’s survivors include his three sons, Dr. William Kolanko, and his wife Cynthia of Grayslake, IL, Dr. Vincent P. Kolanko, and his wife Dody of Morgantown, WV, and Dr. Christopher J. Kolanko, and his wife Donna of Morgantown, WV; daughter, Dr. Kathrine M. Kolanko and her husband Roger Gall of New Cumberland, WV; seven grandchildren, Joshua and his wife Stephanie Kolanko, Rachel, Daniel, Kylie, John, Anthony, and Colton Kolanko; three great-grandchildren, Mishaela, Kayla, and Catherine Kolanko; brother Theodore Kolanko of Weirton; sisters Theresa Marrone and her husband Paul and Mary Lou Kolanko all of Tampa, FL.
The family will receive friends Wednesday 6-8 PM and Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, where the Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 6PM on Thursday.
Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated 10 AM Friday at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Reverend Father Kent Durig officiating.
Entombment will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Weirton where military services will be conducted by the American Legion Post 10 and Weirton Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 200 Preston Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062 or Madonna High School, Park Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062.
Share tributes and memories with his family at www.grecohertnick.com
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
R.I.P Eddy. We will keep you and your family, during this tough time in our thoughts and prayers. ~ the Malinowskis
Ted and Mary Lou and all the family of Ed. Sorry to hear of your loss . He was a great sports person and great guy. Treasure the memories you had with him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Sincerely, Jerry Hamill
Cathy, Bill, Vince & Chris, Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your families. Uncle Eddie will remain in our hearts and memories. He always brought fun and laughter to all the family picnics we had as we were growing up. He and Aunt Bernice are back together again, looking over all of us as they always have. John & Luanne
Bill, Vince, Chris & Kathy, They say that the most important thing that a father can do for his children is to love their mother. In this respect, your father set a standard that would be difficult for any man to match up to. You were blessed to have such an example for your lives. There will be many tears in the days and weeks to come, but take great comfort in these words from a man after God’s own heart. Psalm 15 1O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; 3who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; 4in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; 5who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
Dear Kolanko family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. My family growing up also had three boys and a girl. From your parents’ information in the newspaper, we are sure that they were very proud their four doctors. Dr. Vince has taken care of four generations of our Brown family in Morgantown. We saw that Father Dean had the mass for your Mom. God bless you and your family. Love, Chris and Mary Brown and family
Dear Vince, Dody and Family, There are no words to express my deepest sympathy to all of you during this most difficult time. Vince, your dad was a wonderful man, loved by so many people. I feel blessed I am in your life and that I was lucky enough to know and love Eddie. You will always have his loving memory in your heart. He is now at peace with your mom. With love and deepest sympathy, Frank & Raelene Oros
Dear Vince, Dody and family, You have our deepest sympathy in the loss of your father…Please know there are many of us that care about you and are sending comforting thoughts to all of you. Our Deepest Sympathy, Your Family at Wedgewood Family Practice Physicians and Staff
Vince & Kolanko Family, Just a note to extend my deepest sympathy in the loss of your parents. Having coached with Dad & active in the Madonna Boosters with him; Ed was always fun to be around & he was such a hard worker & a wonderful family man. I know you Parents were very proud of all of you & rightfully so. It was a pleasure to be around all of you thru the years & you have my deepest sympathy. I m sure you ll all miss them deeply but time does heal. Always remember the good times with both of them & how much they were liked & respected in the community. God bless you all.
My condolences to Bill and his family. My prayers are with you in this time of grief. The lord called Edward home to be with him and his wife.
My deepest sympathy to Ed’s family and friends. Loosing Ed so soon after his wife makes the loss of him even harder. My thoughts are with you. Take Care.
Kolanko family, As I begrudgingly get a year older today I rejoice that heaven is a happier place today because your Dad is up there making it just a little more like heaven should be, full of old friends, family and loved ones. I shall always cherish the memories of your dad and him referring to me as “that Baptist”. God bless you and keep you. Joe Stubblefield
We are so sorry to hear that your Dad and Mom as passed on. We often talk about how much we enjoyed your family at Church, School, Madonna Football Games and the Polish Picnics. Jim, Barbara, Deborah, Lori and Kimerly Dawson
Dear Friends: As sad as it may be to have said good-bye to both of your parents so closely, it is equally a comfort to know that their unique and special closeness as husband and wife was so intense that their earthly separation was so brief. Cerrtainly they are enjoying Heaven’s graces at this very moment. And, they shall not let the Lord forget to be your constant strength and guide in all the days to come until you (we) are all untied around the Throne of Christ our Saviour. Know of our thoughts and prayers, not only now, but always. Sincerely, Stas Tuchalski & Rafael Familia
We are all thinking of you. Michael, JoAnn, Conner, Ashley, and Sophie
Bill, Kathy, Vince and Chris, Over the past 25 years, I have grown to know each of you in a different way – with one common thread – your parents! And what a wonderful blessing it has been to each of you and your families to have Eddie and Bernice as the loving foundation to model your lives after. And, I am proud to say that each of you have the special traits that your parents wanted you to have. Sadly, at this time of such great loss, there are hardly any words to say that would bring comfort. However, I do know that there is an indescribable celebration taking place in Heaven as the Kolanko Family Reunion has just begun. I am sad for your loss but rejoicing in my spirit to know that the earthly pains are not a concern anymore! And we should be careful not to become jealous of them being in the presence of the Lord. My prayers are especially with you during this time. Both Eddie and Bernice made a lasting impact on my life. And certainly, each of you have done that for me as well. Please allow the Lord to comfort you and may you feel His loving arms holding you near. With much love, Scott
Vince ……..we are so sadden by the lose of your father so soon after your mother. But just think, they are together again with the Lord. You and the family are in our prayers.
Dear Chris and Family, So sorry to hear about your losses. Wish I could be there. You are all such wonderful friends. Sincerely, Dave
Mishaela, and family: I am soo sorry I am here for all of you!! I love you guys <3 ash
Dear Kolanko family, So sorry to hear about your Father’s passing. We are all thinking and praying for you and your family. Much Love,Ken and Nicole
Kathy, Bill, Vince & Chris: Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with all of you upon the loss of your Dad. Uncle Eddie will remain in our hearts and memories. He always had a story to tell and brought fun and laughter to all our family gatherings. He always had a kind word for all his nieces and nephews. He and Aunt Bernice were very special to all of us and now they are happy with the Lord, and back together again. Our thoughts are with you. With love and deepest sympathy, The Marut Family, Josephine, Tom, Theresa, Rita Anne and Rosemary
To All of the Kolankos, My heart goes out to all you.The marino girls know what it is like to be without a mother and a father also. Death is anything but easy, for those who are left living. However, just as Eddie knew. There is HOPE. For a bright future. A future of ETERNAL life. I will allways remember Eddie’s smile and that precious hearty laugh. But my most special memory was ALL of us. Both Marino’s and Kolanko’s sitting in my father’s home holding hands and praying to our Lord . Eddie was the elder in that crowed. Promoting what true hope IS, WAS and will FOREVER be, Thank you Eddie for being proud of your savior and being a good example of God’s love. I know that Bernice appreciated the love that you not only spoke of. But, the love that you so selflessly gave her. Your example will live on Eddie thru your children and your childrens children. We love you, The DeCarolis Family
Dear Kolanko Family: Peace to you at this time of loss! Be assured of my prayers and Sunday Mass to be celebrated for your Dad, Mr Kolanko. I will always remember his great sense of humor and his smile to all. Blessings and Peace, Father Walt Jagela
My condolences to the family. Toodles sure will be missed. Nobody loved the “Dons” more than he did.
Dear Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved father and mother just recently also. My thought and prayers are with you and your family.Theresa Coppa
Vince & Family, My sincere condolences on the loss of your father and mother. You are in my prayers. Sincerely, Chris
Dear Kolanko Family, no words could express how sorry I am about the loss of your mother and father. May Gods peace be upon you and give you rest at this time in your life.
Josh, I am so sorry for the loss of your grandfather and the recent passing of your grandmother. May the wonderful memories that you have give you comfort and peace during this difficult time. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God Bless You, Tanya (Shoup) Dillon
Josh & Family, I am so sorry to hear of your Grandfather’s passing. I know the two of you were very close and he loved being a part of your life, especially during your football career. I will always remember him being your biggest fan on the sidelines of every game. I will continue to pray for you and your family at this especially difficult time. With Sincere Sympathy, Jennifer
I was sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He was my mother’s first cousin. My grandmother’s name was Catherine Kolanko and John Kolanko was her brother. I have a lot of family information, so please contact me. You have my sympathy. Cynthia Phillips
Josh, saw this on the website and started crying. Your grandfather was one of the nicest men I’ve ever met. Sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.