McLean, VA.-
Steve Washenko, 88, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2014, in Virginia Beach, VA. He was born on December 28, 1925, in Hartshorne, Oklahoma to the late John and Grace (Zozula) Washenko. He received his Bachelors Degree from Oklahoma A&M and his Masters Degree from the University of Syracuse in New York. Mr. Washenko was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served in WWII with the 419 Bomb Squadron, 301 Heavy Bombardment Group of the 15th Army Air Force based in Italy from 1944 – 1945. Following his time in the U.S. Army, Mr. Washenko served our country once more with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, retiring after 40 years of service in the U.S., Europe, and China. Steve was an avid Washington Redskins and St. Louis Cardinals fan. In his earlier years, he was an accomplished softball pitcher in the United States and in Hong Kong, China. He loved gardening and making his famous “salsa” with what he grew. “Papa,” as he was affectionately known by his family, will always be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. His ready smile, easy laughter, gentle nature, and overall kindness will be deeply missed.

Left to cherish his memory are four children: Sunny (Jim) Maurer of Cocoa, FL, Steve (Maggie)Washenko of Lutz, FL, Greg (Beth) Washenko of Fredericksburg, VA, Sara (Robert) Wagner of Chesapeake, VA; six grandchildren: Stephen, Eric, Emily, Robert, Mitchell, and Katherine; sister-in-law, Dolores Haygood of Houston, TX, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Ruth (Powell) Washenko in 1996, four brothers: Mitchel, Michael, John, Nicholas, and seven sisters: Ann, Tess, Mary, Helen, Rose, Susie, and Julia.

Mr. Washenko will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on April 7, 2015 at 9:00 AM

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Thank you, Mr. Washenko, for your service to our country.