Kulpmont - Geraldine Rita (Jankowski) Shimko, 74, of 942 Spruce Street, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2020 at Hidden Valley Campground in Mifflinburg, where she enjoyed spending her summers with dear friends and family.

Born on August 20, 1945 in Danville, she was the daughter of the late Rita Jankowski and Raymond Mummah of Mount Carmel. She was a 1963 graduate of Mount Carmel High School. Soon after she entered Ashland State General Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated in 1966.

Geraldine joined the army while she was still in school in 1965. After completing the State Boards she re-enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps and began her Basic Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas as a second Lieutenant. Upon graduation she was stationed at Walter Reed in Washington, DC and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. in February of 1968. In March of 1968 she was deployed to Vietnam, assigned to the 12th Evac in CuChi and then the 95th Evac in DaNang. Serving as an OR nurse in both assignments. She received an Honorable Discharge in February of 1969.

On March 8, 1969 she married Thomas Shimko of Kulpmont. She continued her nursing career until the birth of her children in 1971. She returned to nursing in 1985 at St. Catherine's Hospital in Ashland. Retiring as a night shift supervisor in 2012.

She was a loving wife, mother, and devoted grandmother to her seven grandchildren, and a faithful friend to all who knew her. She was a life member of the VFW in Kulpmont and West End Auxiliary of Kulpmont, and a member of Kulpmont American Legion Post 231 since 1969.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and her grandchildren, they were her pride and joy. She was an avid bowler for many years and also enjoyed traveling with family, camping, picking mushrooms, reading, crocheting, gardening, crafting with her grandchildren, and sketching. She also made the best mushroom soup and pigeons.

In addition to her husband, Geraldine is survived by a son, Raymond Thomas Shimko and his wife, Michelle of Kulpmont; a daughter, Rae Ann Michele Shedleski of Lewisburg; five grandsons, Andrew Shedleski, Nicholas Shedleski, Derek Shedleski, Jacob Kleman, and Noah Thomas Shimko; two granddaughters, Addyson Shedleski, and Emma Rae Shimko; three sister-in-laws, Patricia Owens, Betty Eckenrode, and Rose Marie Koldash; a brother-in-law, Michael D. Shimko and his wife, Lucy; two nephews, Michael Bradigan and George Bradigan; three cousins, Susan Matlaveich, Steve Beckno and his wife, Judy, and Karen Shimkey, and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Roseanne Bradigan; a half brother, Ralph Owens; and two dear cousins, Margaret McHugh and Virginia Hoskie.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Geraldine Rita Shimko, 74, of 942 Spruce Street, Kulpmont - Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 11:00 am in Holy Angels Church, 855 Scott Street, Kulpmont, with Father Stahmer, officiating. Burial will be held following the service in Northumberland Memorial Park, Sunbury. Arrangements are being cared for by C.J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 1053 Chestnut Street, Kulpmont, John Minnig, Supervisor. In Lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to an Animal Shelter of your choice. To send condolences to the family please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com