Richard P. Danko

Richard P. Danko, 91of Whiting passed away peacefully on the early morning of Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Community Hospital, Munster. He was the beloved husband of 60 years to the late Mary Ann (Bednar) Danko who passed away June 13, 2020; loving father of Christine Danko, Michael (Lynn) Danko, Joanne (John) Gorski and Mary Lynn (late Joseph) Hasik; cherished grandfather of Brittany (Kiley) Jarrett, Sarah Hasik, Jacob Hasik and Thomas Gorski; many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Andrew and William Danko and two sisters, Margaret Gray and Sophie Bzibziak.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025; 10:30am at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th St., Whiting; a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting with the Rev. Mark R. Peres, C.P.P.S, officiating; interment to follow at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville; visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday morning from 9:00am to time of services. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on-line at www.baranfh.com

Richard Danko was born on January 25, 1934 to Paul and Krestine (Chernota) Danko. A lifelong resident of the Whiting-Robertsdale Community, he attended Immaculate Conception School, Whiting and was a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School, Class of 1952. He was a very involved lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church until its recent closing, and then became a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting; the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, Branch 452; and an active member of The American Slovak Club. He was also a US Army Veteran of the Korean War (PFC, Military Police) and a retiree of the Lever Bros. Company, Hammond with a service of 39 years. An avid sports enthusiast, Richard was a dedicated Chicago Bears, White Sox and Notre Dame fan. He enjoyed playing poker & card games, working jigsaw puzzles, trap shooting, spent many years playing 16” softball with various local teams (primarily for the Slovak Club’s softball team) and was an accomplished self-taught drummer for several local bands for many years. With a smile on his face, lighthearted joking manner and his infamous “haaah doo!!” greeting, Rich left a comfortably lasting impression on all those he met, making you feel instantly like family. He was the best go-to Mr. Fix It, always there to lend a helping hand for others, never wanting anything in return but a simple “thanks!!” Rich always put his family first, he was the BEST Pops to his kids and an EXCEPTIONAL PaPa to all his grandchildren and “grand pups” by always being lovingly supportive and heavily involved in all aspects of their lives. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Whiting “Gimmer Shelter” (for pets), P.O. Box 591, Whiting, IN 46394, would be appreciated. 

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