Bernard F Walko

GLENDALE, CA – Bernard (“Bernie”) Walko Sr., 91, formerly of Edwardsville, passed away at Kaiser Medical Center in Hollywood CA on Tuesday morning, March 10, 2015.

Bernie was born in Edwardsville April 6, 1923 to Joseph and Anna Walko. He graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1941 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving in the Pacific Theater of World War II, stationed in Guam.

After the war Bernie returned home to Edwardsville and went to work for the Granville Rice Photo Studio. He eventually opened his own photo finishing lab and expanded into wedding and commercial photography. For more than 50 years he was fondly known to area residents as “Flash,” taking high school, prom and wedding photos.

Bernie was a founding member of the Edwardsville Lions Club in 1952 and served several terms as president of the chapter. He also served as president of the Lower Valley Eye Bank, helping fulfill locally the Lion’s mission of improving sight for many. Bernie remained a lifelong active member of Lions, earning the prestigious Melvin Jones Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. Upon retiring to the Los Angeles area with his wife Anna in 2005 to be close to their children, Bernie joined the Griffith Park Lions Club Chapter, eventually serving as president and other executive positions.

Bernie served as Eucharistic Minister of his Catholic Church, St. Anthony’s in Larksville, PA. He and his wife Anna were active parishioners, singing in the choir and always ready to volunteer and extend a helping hand in service to their church.

Taking up golf at the age of 80, Bernie played in a Family Foursome with is son, son-in-law and grandson. His playing partners boasted about the fact that his golf score was consistently less than his age. He was a regular at Scholl Canyon Golf Course in Glendale, CA and will be remembered fondly whenever we play the 15th hole…which is high on a hill where eagles soar, the occasional mountain lion makes an appearance and on a clear day one can see the ocean more than 20 miles distant.

In addition to his parents, Bernie was preceded in death by his brother Joe. His younger brother, Robert lives in Richmond Kentucky.

Bernie is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Anna Walko; His daughter Anne and her husband Pete; his son Bernie Jr. and his wife Debbie; his son Robert and his wife Marla; grandchildren Peter, Matthew, Patrick, Becky, Shawn, Sheri and Gregory Thomas; great grandchildren Marcus, Lukas, Maggie Rose and Nicholas; and various nieces and nephews.

Always quick with a smile and a joke, Bernie had the marvelous ability to put anyone instantly at ease and was loved by neighbors, friends and everyone who was blessed to meet him. It was a slice of heaven to sit at a table he presided at, hear him say grace and then lift a glass to the family toast of “Schwagaga!” He will be sorely missed.

A memorial service will be held at Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Burbank, CA Friday morning at 10:15 am, March 20th.

To sign the family guestbook please go on-line to: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/DignityMemorial/guestbook.aspx?n=bernard-walko&pid=174371794

In lieu of flowers, please honor Bernie by donating to the Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank.

Online donations: http://paeyebank.org/contribution-form.php

By mail: The Development Department, Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank, 2346 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017-3613.