Walter "Baldy" Lelko

Walter James “Baldy” Lelko, age 90, of Meadville, PA passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at St. Vincent Hospital following a brief illness on Sunday June 29, 2025. He was born on February 14, 1935 in Geneva, PA to the late John and Mary (Harrenshaw) Lelko. He married Mary Daniels on June 9, 1962. She preceded him in death on April 28, 2015.

Baldy graduated from Conneaut Lake High School. He was a US Air Force veteran. He was a lifelong railroader first working for Erie, Erie-Lackawana and eventually retiring in 1995 from Conrail.

He was a very social person and enjoyed visiting all of his favorite social clubs and meeting up with his buddies including VFW Post #2006, American Legion Post #111, ICC and BPOE #219. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and ripping tickets at the clubs. He played softball for multiple years in the Sertoma league at Lincoln Ave. He was also an avid Pittsburgh sports fan.

Baldy is survived by his son, Scott Lelko of Conneautville, PA and his daughter, Elizabeth Lelko of Blooming Valley, PA; his granddaughters, Brittney Hall and her husband, Benjamin of Cochranton, PA and Bethany Lelko of Blooming Valley, PA; his great-grandchildren, Isaac and Ivory Hall; his brother-in-law, Bill Tingley of Geneva and his sister-in-law, Shirley Frazier of Saegertown, PA and his very good friends and neighbors, Larry and Diane Courson.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Walter James “Junior” Lelko Jr. and his siblings, Gertrude (John) Satonica, Louise (Frank) O’Dell, John (Peg) Lelko, Sam (Betty) Lelko, Lavon Tingley and James Frazier.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday July 2, 2025 at Dickson Funeral Home;  130 N. 2nd St., Conneaut Lake, PA 16316 from 4-6 pm. Full military honors provided by VFW Post #2006  followed by the funeral service conducted by Pastor Loren Little  will take place at 6:00 pm at the funeral home.

Baldy will be laid to rest with his wife and son at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Benevolent Fund at Yolanda Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Rd., Meadville, PA 16335.

Please sign Baldy’s online guestbook at www.hatheway-tedesco.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Dickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 130 N. 2nd St. Conneaut Lake, PA 16316, Rocco R. Tedesco III, Supervisor.