Latrobe man was active with hobbies, church

Mickey Repko’s life got swept up in the great drama of World War II when he enlisted in the Army on March 25, 1943.

What little he said about his military service over the years suggested that by the time his unit arrived in Europe, most of the fighting was over.

“He said it was more or less a vacation for him. He didn’t have to fight,” said his wife, Kay Repko. “He said they drove through ruins where the bombs were dropped.”

Michael R. “Mickey” Repko, of Latrobe, died Monday, July 22, 2019, at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. He was 95.

Born in Calumet on April 27, 1924, he was a son of the late Steve Repko and Anna (Seamen) Repko.

Mr. Repko served as a gunner with the 558th Automatic Weapon Battalion, which fought in the Rhineland and Central Europe. At the time of his discharge, he was a private first class with the 547th Field Artillery Battalion.

He was awarded the American Campaign, European-Middle Eastern Campaign, Good Conduct and World War II Victory medals. He later joined American Legion Post 982, Unity.

Mr. Repko met his future wife at the Glass Beads Co., Latrobe, where she worked. They dated for five years and got married in 1969. They were preparing to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

“He was a good husband,” she said.

Mr. Repko worked as a carpenter for Tucci & Soblesky Construction. A work injury led to his early retirement.

He stayed active at his church, Sacred Heart Church, Youngstown, and with his hobbies – reading, playing horseshoes and watching Western movies. He especially enjoyed reading the newspaper and doing crossword puzzles.

“It didn’t matter where we went – he always knew somebody. He had a lot of friends,” Mrs. Repko said.

Mr. Repko also was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and enjoyed watching the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins on TV.

“He only went to one Steelers game. His barber got us some tickets,” she said.

Mr. Repko is survived by his wife, Gloria Kay (Sarver) Repko, of Latrobe; a sister, Kay Rittwage, and her husband, George, of Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the John J. Lopatich Funeral Home, 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Church, Youngstown. Interment will follow at Unity Cemetery, with graveside military services accorded by VFW Post 33, Greensburg.