Shirley Sarko

Shirley Sarko, 86, of Cortland, formerly of Hartford, passed away at St. Joseph Health Center on Saturday, October 15, 2022.

She was born May 20, 1936 in Vernon, the daughter of C. Dale and Jessie Hipkins Blair.

She married Francis “Gene” Sarko on April 21, 1957.  He preceded her in death on November 27, 2002.

She was a bus driver for the Joseph Badger school district for twenty-six years. She also was the church organist for St. Vincent DePaul in Vienna from 1975 to 2014, where she was a member of the ladies guild and other groups.

Shirley loved being with her family.  She was a colorful person with a great sense of humor and she loved to talk.  She enjoyed painting, drawing, gardening, traveling and playing her piano and organ.

She is survived by a daughter, Laura (Dave) Hall of Farmdale; four sons, Joseph (Ruth) Sarko of Howland, Gary (Cindy) Sarko of Cortland, Mark (Janice) Sarko of Cortland and Matthew (Cindy) Sarko of Kinsman; 15 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and one on the way; a daughter-in-law, Angela Sarko of Burghill and a sister, Carol Hiller of Wilmington, Delaware.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Greg and three brothers, Marlin, Charlie and Skip Blair.

The family would like to give a special “Thank You” to Shirley’s private care givers for their excellent care of her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in her name to the Hartford Park Committee at P.O. Box 116, Hartford, Ohio 44424.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage, PA.

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