Walter Joseph Edward Jancura Sr., 91, of Smithfield, Ohio, has joined his wife, Georgianna, as he entered his eternal home on June 11, 2024.

Wally was born on the family farm in Smithfield on June 10,1933, a son of the late Joseph and Rose Jancura Sr.

In addition to his wife and his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Tech Sgt. Frank Jancura (KIA WWII) and Joseph (Jennie) Jancura Jr. and sisters Angeline (Steve) Cichon, Rose (Ed) Korwek, Julia (Art) Kournoian, Mary (Joe) Krulcik, and Ann (Al) Paolucci.  He was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Fred (Kay) Cesario, Frank Yanczura, Harry Cesario Jr., and Eleanor (Bill) Kintz.

Wally leaves heartwarming memories to those who survive; children Suzanne (James) Smarrella of Dillonvale, OH; Walter (Janice) Jancura Jr. of Dillonvale, OH; and Franklin (Laura) Jancura of Rutland, MA; grandchildren Joseph (Sarah) Jancura, Paul (Theresa Paul) Jancura; Jessica Smarrella; Mary Rose (Ryan) Haddad; Faith (Sean) Adkins; Thomas (Megan) Jancura; and Daniel Jancura.  Wally is also survived by great grandchildren Isabella Adkins, Gabriel Jancura, Benjamin Haddad, and Emilia Jancura.  Surviving are sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Betty Yanczura, Marge Cesario and Jim (Barb) Cesario as well as many nieces and nephews.  He will be especially missed by his fur baby Willie.

Wally was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant where he served various terms as trustee and elder.  He was also a member of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau.  Wallywas instrumental in establishing the Ohio Valley Polka Association and served as its president for several years.  He was a 4-H advisor for the Smithfield Sons and Dots.  He was also a member of the Gwynn Allen Piney Fork American Legion Post 735, Korean War Veterans Association, and the Jefferson County Veterans Association.

Wally proudly served stateside in the US Army during the Korean Conflict (1953-1955) in the Signal Corps, Company B.  He attended many funerals as an Honor Guard member and marchedin numerous parades.  Wally was a Private First Class and Acting Corporal (as needed).

He graduated from Smithfield High School, where he played on the Spartan football team in 1952.  Wally began working shortly after graduation at Weirton Steel Corporation where he worked until retiring on May 30, 1992.

Wally's main hobby was music.  He played the accordion beginning at the age of 12 in 1945.  Heplayed music with various groups until 1950.  From 1950 through 1952 he played music with the 3 Yanks and continued to play with various groups until Wally achieved his lifelong dream inearly 1970 with the establishment of the Polka Jacks.  Wally, his wife Georgie, and children Suzie, Wally Jr., and Frank made up the Polka Jacks and played polka music around the Ohio Valley and various locations outside of the immediate Ohio Valley area for the next 20 plus years.  During their musical years, the band cut two (2) albums, appeared on various television shows in the Cleveland and Washington, PA areas and performed on numerous live radio broadcasts on WOMP-AM's Polka Party, the Gil Yurus Polka Review, and Polka Mike Panjusek's Polka Party.  Additionally, the band was a member of the Ohio Valley Polka Association and provided entertainment during the festivals it sponsored.  After the group disbanded, Wally continued to play music with family and friends until the time of his death.

Wally was a wonderful father and grandfather who enjoyed being a part of any activities his family was involved in.  He helped decorate for homecomings and proms, constructed props forOglebay Institute School of Dance, attended piano and dance recitals, baseball and cross- country events, and band and school musical productions.  He even participated in the Buckeye Local Foreign Language Fair helping his granddaughters make authentic Polish and Russian foods.  He was Dziadzu to grandchildren's friends, dance girls, and school students.

Wally also enjoyed farming and woodworking.  In later years, he would construct various wood projects and whirligigs and attend craft shows with his wife Georgie.  There were always many types of whirligigs in the yard for his customers to see.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Southern Care Hospice and the Carriage Inn of Steubenville for the compassion, caring, and kindness shown to Wally Sr.  Thank you especially to nurse Lisa and Pastor Peter.

Friends and family will be received at Wilson Funeral Home 154 Second St Dillonvale, Ohio on June 17 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.  There will be additional visitation at Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church on June 18 from 10-11 a.m., followed by services at 11 a.m. with Pastor Lorraine Dill officiating.

Interment will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens. Military services will be conducted at Holly Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions can be made in Wally's name to the First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 173, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio. 43939.

Offer online condolences to the family at www.wilsonfuneralhomes.com

Thanks Dad,

For teaching us all those necessary farm things, ensuring we understood the value of an education, instilling a love of music, always being willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear, and just teaching us what plain old teamwork and hard work meant.  We will be forever grateful.  You will be with us always.

Love, Suz, Jr., and Frankie

If after you are grown, you think back on your father and your childhood, and you smile, you were raised by a great man.

Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church
123 Union St, Mt Pleasant OH 43939
Tel: 1-740-769-7510