Obituary of Thelma Lee Palko

Thelma Lee (Cowan) Palko, age 92 of Palm Bay, Florida passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018. She was born on January 3, 1926 to the late James Lloyd Cowan and Florence Olean (Shultz) Cowan in Eldora, Pennsylvania. Thelma graduated from Elizabeth High School, Class of 1944. After high school, she continued her education earning a degree in Accounting. She worked many years as an accountant at Monsour Hospital, Association for The Blind, Ciprianni Builders and Buena Vida Estates. On February 16, 1947, Thelma married the love of her life Henry. Together they raised three children. Since retiring, Thelma enjoyed her time strengthening her faith as a member of the First Baptist Church of Melbourne and making new friends, while positively influencing those around her. Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Henry; son David C. Palko of Luxor, PA; her parents; sister Betty Belle (Cowan) Swindell and her husband John Swindell; sister-in-law Mary (Ebeling) Cowan; parents, sisters and brothers of husband Henry. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl L. (Anthony) Bukta of Edinburg, PA and son Henry L. (Cindie Ritter) Palko of Export, PA; grandchildren, Stephen J. (Valerie Marsh) Palko of Latrobe, PA, David C. (Michele Hutter) Palko of Derry, PA, Anthony John (Jamie Snitowski) Bukta of Mokena, IL and Andrew S. Bukta of Denver, CO; great grandchildren, Jessica Nicole Palko, Stephen Vincent Palko, Jennifer Renee Palko and Breckin Anthony Bukta; brother Lloyd N. Cowan of Melbourne, FL; nephews Timothy, Joseph Cowan and families; many nieces and nephews from the Palko family; many cousins too numerous to name from the Cowan family. Thelma was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor and a dear friend to many. A Memorial Service was held at 11:00am on Tuesday, June 5 at the First Baptist Church of Melbourne; 3301 Dairy Rd, Melbourne, FL 32901. For family and friends in Pennsylvania a viewing will be held from 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm with a memorial service to follow on Thursday, June 14 at Vaia Funeral Home; 463 Athena Dr., Delmont, PA 15626. Memorials in Thelma’s memory can be made to the First Baptist Church of Melbourne, (http://www.fbcmel.org/).