Ronald L. Stanko

Ronald L. "Ronzo" Stanko, 86, of Niles, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2025, at St. Joseph Health Center Emergency Room.

He was born January 25, 1939, in Warren, Ohio, the 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 Gloves boxing champion and was scouted by the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher.

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, who he refused to call the Guardians.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Marli Latrecchia Stanko, whom he married on January 24, 1960; two sons, Ronald "Chip" (Sherri) Stanko Jr. of Niles and Rodney Stanko 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 they closed.

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

Family and friends may call Wednesday, August 27 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Holloway-Williams Funeral Home & 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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