Colonel Walter J. Kankowski U.S. Army retired of Shenandoah passed away at home April 10th at the age of 83. Walter was born in Shenandoah the son of the late Joseph C. and Anna Klocek Kankowski.


He was a graduate of J.W. Cooper High School.


Walter was inducted into the Army August 1951 and attended Armor Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox KY was commissioned a 2nd Lt and served during the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. He retired from the Army as a full Colonel in 1989.


He was a member of the AMVETS post 7 and the American Legion Anthony P. Damato Medal of Honor Post No. 792 of Shenandoah and a 50 year member of the Travelers Protective Assoc post Q Mahanoy City.


He had been employed by A&P Supermarkets in Shenandoah, Girardville, and Mount Carmel.

He was preceded in death by sisters Frances Kankowski and Alberta Usiewicz and a brother Joseph Kankowski.


He is survived by his wife Elizabeth "Betty" Zarcufsky Kankowski formerly of Turkey Run, and two sons Ronald and Walter Jr. both of Orlando FL, a sister Clara Wachhaus Ringtown PA, a brother John Kankowski Brooklyn NY, grandsons Christopher Kankowski Park Place and Eric Kankowski Brooklyn NY, and Johnathon Orlando FL, nephews Donald Wachhaus Sheppton PA and Ronald Usiewicz Orlando FL, also great nieces and nephews.


Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Annunciation B.V.M. at 11 AM on Monday, April 15th, with Father Johnson officiating.


Friends may call Sunday 6-9 PM and Monday 9 AM at the Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. 318 East Centre Street Shenandoah.


Interment will follow with military honors at the National Cemetery Fort Indiantown Gap Annville, PA.