John J. Palko, aged 92 of Waymart, died May 4, 2023, in Hospice of the Sacred Heart Dunmore following a recent illness. Born October 18, 1930 in White's Crossing, PA to Joseph P. Palko and Julia A. Trumbetas Palko, he was of the Catholic faith, praying the rosary and reading the mass daily. A lover of large machinery, he spent most of his adult working life moving dirt. As soon as he reached the appropriate age, he enlisted in the US Army where he learned to drive heavy equipment. Some of his fondest memories were of repairing airfields, bridges, and roads with the US Army Aviation Engineers stationed in Greenham Common, Newberry, England after the war. As a young man, he cleared many building lots, dug numerous foundations and ponds, and cut roads in and around Wayne County. Later he worked in local quarries. In his later years he worked greens maintenance at Woodloch Springs Golf Course, where he took great pride in keeping the course in top shape and enjoyed the comradery of the grounds crew. He is survived by his children, Dawn Cappello (John) of Hackettstown, NJ, Blaise P. Palko (Maria), Stephen Palko (Cindy), and Pauline Palko all of Waymart; grandchildren Andrea Faschan (Matt), Charles Cappello, Jeremy Palko, and Jared Palko (Rachael), and the light of his life these last few years, his great grandchildren, Lucas, Leah, and Ellie. Also surviving, a sister, Rosemary Sieg of Taylorsville, GA, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of 46 years, Doris (Ginda), his parents, brothers Joseph, Paul, and Leonard Palko, his sister Ann Thomas, and many friends. The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their compassionate and attentive care to John during his last days. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore, St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen of Scranton, or St. Francis of Assisi Commons of Scranton. The funeral will be on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 from the Howell Family Funeral Home, Inc. Edward R. Howell, Funeral Director, 269 Belmont Street, Waymart, PA 18472 with Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:00 A.M. in St. Mary's Church, 242 Carbondale Road, Waymart, PA. The family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday morning from 8:30 - 10:30 A.M. in the funeral home. Interment with military honors will be private and held at the convenience of the family in St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery, Fair Avenue, Honesdale.