Obituary of Michael Fitchko

MARION, VIRGINIA: MICHAEL J. FITCHKO, III, age 68 passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Valley Heath Care Center, Chilhowie, Virginia following a long illness. Michael was born October 19, 1943 in Filbert, West Virginia to Mike J. and Felcia Fitchko. He was of the Catholic faith. He grew up in West Virginia and was a graduate of Gary (WV) High School. He served in the U.S. Army Special Forces, serving with a pre-op unit in Vietnam, and later attended Thomas Nelson CC. Michael spent the majority of his life in York County, Virginia, where he worked as a firefighter, and he had the distinction of being the first paid EMT for York County. He later moved to Newport News and worked in the printing business, his last employment being with the Virginia Gazette Newspaper. Michael moved to Marion in 2000. He loved hunting and fishing in his earlier years. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed watching both college and pro football with his brothers. Michael moved around during his lifetime, but he never lost his roots. He always proclaimed himself to be a proud "Mountaineer" and he loved his home state of West Virginia. It was his greatest enjoyment to stay in touch by phone with all of his "old" friends near and far. He was preceded in death by his father, Mike J. Fitchko, Jr. and several aunts and uncles from the Marion area. Michael is survived by his daughter, Tracy Moulds and husband, David of Fisher, Minnesota; his sons, Kevin Fitchko and wife, Irma of Goose Creek, South Carolina and Jason Fitchko of Staunton, Virginia; his mother, Felcia Fitchko of Marion, Virginia; two brothers, Roger Fitchko and wife, Carol and Dennis Fitchko and wife, Jill all of Marion, Virginia; three grandchildren, Cortney Moulds, Brittany Moulds and Shawn Fitchko; several nieces and nephews and a special friend, Carolyn Vance. Funeral Services will be held Friday, November 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Father Paul Maier officiating. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until the time of the service. At Michael's request, his cremated remains will be returned to his beloved West Virginia Mountians at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Marion Life Saving Crew, P.O. Box 784, Marion, Virginia 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Fitchko Family.