Peter Anthony Herko

Peter Anthony Herko of Haddon Township, N.J, a retired master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, car enthusiast and technical specialist, died March 6 at Cooper University Hospital. He was 65.

Born in Johnstown, Penn., to Peter and Martha Herko, he spent 23 years in the U.S. Air Force before his military retirement. He was proud of both his own service and of the fact that several of his four children chose to serve through careers in either law enforcement or the military.

He moved frequently during his military career, but after his retirement lived for 15 years in the Philadelphia area. He married Jana Marie Turpish in 2003. They moved to Haddon Township 12 years ago, where Herko worked as a technical specialist for AT&T.

An avid car enthusiast, Herko loved attending car shows. He belonged to various car clubs including the Pennsylvania Modern Mopar Car Club. He owned more than 70 cars throughout his life, but he had a special affinity for the Dodge Challenger. He was a fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In addition to his passion for cars and the Steelers, Herko was known for his unconditional love of his family and dry sense of humor. His wife, Jana, said that his friends knew that despite a seemingly crabby demeanor, he was a “teddy bear with a big heart.”

Herko is survived by his loving wife, Jana; his  children, Shenya Marshall and son-in-law  James; Jeremy Herko and daughter-in-law Kimberly; Tegan Reives, son-in-law Chad Brown; and Josh, daughter-in-law Amanda; his former wife Ruth Martinuk; sister Beth Warrick, brother Nicholas Herko, 11 grandchildren and 13 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents brother, Michael Herko, and grandson Christian Michael Anthony Marshall.

A visitation will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Jackson Funeral Home, 308 Haddon Ave., Haddon Township, N.J. with funeral services following immediately afterward.

Interment will be private. In the honor of his grandsons Christian and Justin, in lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to Ainsley’s Angels, an organization for children with special needs. Donations can be made at https://www.crowdrise.com/PeteHerko

Arrangements by Jackson Funeral Home, Haddon Township, NJ www.jacksonfh.net