Obituary of Edward John Fecko

Edward J. Fecko (86) longtime Parkline and St. Maries area resident died March 31, 2015 at his home following a battle with cancer. He was born November 12, 1928 to John and Helen (Sujeta) Fecko in Garfield, NJ. While still an infant, Ed moved with his parents to their native land of Czechoslovakia. When he was eight years old, Ed returned to Garfield NJ. He graduated from a Catholic High School there with the class of 1946. Following his graduation, Ed enlisted in the U.S Army. He was stationed in Korea and assigned to a K-9 unit where he developed his strong love for dogs, especially German Shepherds. Ed was discharged in 1949 and returned to New Jersey. He took a year off and became a vagabond traveling around on his motorcycle. His trip brought him to Pullman, WA and he enrolled at WSU. He received his BA degree in Foreign Trade there. Ed married Maxine Lewis on September 25, 1953 at Pullman. They made their home in Arizona before returning to New Jersey so Ed could care for his aging parents. Ed purchased a farm in up-state New York and got a teaching position with Andrew S. Draper Central School in Schenevus , NY where he taught the 6th grade. While teaching there, Ed received his Master’s Degree in Education from the State University of New York and continued his studies at Colgate University, In 1967, the family moved to Escondido, CA where Ed taught 7th and 8th grade math at Rancho Santa Fe School. Around 1970 they purchased a citrus grove at Valley Center, CA and operated it while still teaching. In 1975, Ed and Maxine purchased Three Rivers Resort at Lowell, ID. They operated the business until 1978 when they moved to St. Maries, ID and purchased the Parkline Supper Club. Ed tended bar and Maxine was the chef. Ed enjoyed telling people that he had a 6th grade education to tend bar, when in fact he was actually a couple credits shy of his PhD. Ed and Maxine made many friends and acquaintances while owning the business. Many St. Maries area residents had worked there at some point in their lives. Ed enjoyed making several trips to Sturgis, SD with his daughters Val and Judy, and enjoyed the trip in 2003 that he made back to the family farm in up-state New York with his daughter Val when they rode their Harley’s. Ed and Maxine sold the business in 1994 with the intent of retiring. They took the business back two years later. Ed and Maxine continued to run the Parkline Supper Club for several years before shutting it down completely in 2001. Ed enjoyed his family, his animals and riding motorcycles. He also enjoyed fishing, especially the pack trips he made with his friends, Doc White, Gene Hedlund, and others to Fortress Lake, Canada. Ed was a former member of the Masons and Shriners. Ed is survived by his wife Maxine at the family home, daughters and son-in-law Judy and Rick Dahlgren of Stevensville, MT and Cheryl Fecko and Doug Rhodes of Craig, AK and daughter Val Clark of Santa Rosa, CA. Also surviving are two grandsons, Daniel Castillo (Stephanie Castillo) of Florence, Montana, Michael Castillo (Heather Matusiak), of Boise, Idaho and one great grandson, Brady Castillo of Florence, MT and two nieces, Thea (Nave) Calhoun and Shelley (Nave) Smith. Ed is also survived by his adopted family, Sean, Mai, and Maki Joslin of Guam. Ed was preceded in death by his sister Irene Nave and adopted son Robert Joslin. Ed would like to be remembered as saying what he believed, telling it as it was, and loving the gifts of God, above all, family, true friends, his dogs, and God in nature. A celebration of Ed’s life will be planned at a later date and time to be announced. The family suggests memorials to the Benewah Co. Humane Society 53 Robinson Lane, St. Maries, ID. 83861. Visit his online memorial and sign his guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com