John Louis Dranko

John Dranko, age 92 of Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania, died on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Arrowood Senior Living in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. He was born John Louis Dranko on November 6, 1933, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, a son of Louis and Mildred (Roberts) Dranko.

He grew up in the Jefferson Boro area and graduated from Clairton High School. He served in the US Air Force and the Pittsburgh Air National Guard during the Vietnam Era, active duty for over 25 years, ultimately retiring from the Air National Guard as a Colonel. John was trained as a pilot and kept his license into his civilian life.

He also worked as tool and die foreman for the Fisher Body plant in Dravosburg, Pennsylvania.

John embraced life with enthusiasm and a spirit of adventure. He enjoyed snowmobiling, skiing, swimming, water skiing, canoeing, and flying whenever he had the opportunity. He especially treasured the friendships he shared while gathering for lunch with the "Over-The-Hill Gang." He loved to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, so much so that he planted the whole hillside with fruit trees.

He was preceded in death by his wife, June LaVerne (Black) Dranko, after 53 of years of marriage who passed away in May of 2008; he was also preceded in death by his parents; his brother Wilford Montgomery; and his sisters Violet Zak and Darlene Jolley.

John is survived by 3 children, 2 daughters, Kim (Kevin) Schmidt of Leavenworth, Washington and Shelly (Jack) Dranko-Gorlesky of Wake Forest, North Carolina; 1 son, Brad (Karen) Dranko of Sherrills Ford, North Carolina; 5 grandchildren, Kerri (James) Kegyes, Kiersten (Travis) Schriner, Kallen (Cassidy) Schmidt and Sharon and Brad Dranko; 4 great-grandchildren 3 girls Enola, Amelia, and Elinor Schriner and 1 boy Ansel Cohen and John’s brother Dave Dranko and two sisters Delores Nartowicz and Patty McCormick.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home 1701 State Route 51 (Large) Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania (412-384-0350) www.stephendslater.com. His funeral service will be immediately after the visitation at 11 a.m. and his burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to Fisher House whose mission is to support military members, veterans, and their families, at fisherhouse.org.