Obituary of Donald E. Zelko

Donald E. "Didder" Zelko Age 76 of Horseheads, NY passed away on Sunday May 5, 2019. Don was born on March 21, 1943 in Olean, NY the son of the late Zigmund and Theresa Kasperski Zelko. He was a graduate of Thomas A. Edison High School. Mr. Zelko was a Veteran of the Vietnam War serving his country with the U.S. Air Force. He married his wife Margaret "Peggy" Marcoccia on July 6, 1963 and they would have celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary on July 6, 2019. Didder was a retired mold maker for Anchor Glass in Elmira Heights, NY. He was pre-deceased by his parents and parents-in-law: Alfred and Sophie Marcoccia as well as sister and brother-in-law Helen and Stosh Northrop, sister-in-law Rachel Zelko, and brother-in-law Bob Spirawk. Didder was a loving and compassionate family man who cherished the time he spent with them. He loved and cherished every moment spent with his family and was a huge supporter of his grandchildren's activities and events. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and golfing. Didder was a member of the Elmira Heights American Legion Post # 154 for 53 years. An avid sportsman always rooting for the Eagles and the Yankees. Mr. Zelko is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years and his high school sweetheart Margaret "Peggy" Marcoccia Zelko; beloved children: Melissa and Donald Wood of Elmira, NY , Scott C. and Libby Zelko of Horseheads, NY , and Lynette and Jack Hampton of Big Flats, NY ; cherished grandchildren: Jacob, Gavin, Maddie, Kenzie, Jeremy (Emily) Wood, Hillary (Ed) Townsend; fur baby Maggie Mae; brothers: Ray (Janis) Zelko; Bill Zelko, Jim (Jean) Zelko; sister Mimi (Nick) Santone; sister-in-law Ann Spirawk; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday May 11, 2019 at 10 AM at St. Mary Our Mother Church in Horseheads, NY. Internment in St. Mary Our Mother Cemetery where Full Military Honors will be accorded Mr. Zelko. The family will provide their own flowers and those wishing may remember "Didder" through donations to the Friends of the Horseheads Animal Shelter 150 Wygant Road Horseheads, NY 14845. Words of Condolence and Memories may be shared at www.lynchsfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are entrusted to the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD STREET HORSEHEADS, NY.