Obituary of Donna M. "Joe" Luketic

Donna M. “Joe” Luketic, 86, of Fairmont, passed away peacefully on March, 17, 2025 following a brief illness. Donna was born March, 11, 1939 in Marianna, PA, to parents Frank and Mary Pawich and loved to reminisce about her childhood there. In her teens, the family later moved to Claysville, PA where she graduated from Claysville High School. During those years, her family would often travel to Fairview, WV to visit the family of Joe and Sophie Luketic, family friends from Marianna. She married their son Joe in 1958 who was in the U.S. Army at the time and moved to Massachusetts until he finished his tour of duty. They moved around a lot those first few years (Massachusetts, California, PA and back to WV) before settling in Fairview to raise their family and spent the next 40 years there. After they both retired, they moved to Fairmont where she enjoyed the conveniences of being “in town”. Donna worked for 20 years as a “teller” at the Bank of Wadestown in Fairview, which was a good fit for her “never met a stranger” personality. She loved talking to and meeting new people. Those closest to her will remember her laugh, which once she got started would get everyone else laughing with her. Her hobbies included golfing with Joe on a couples’ league or with her girlfriends on ladies’ outings. She also loved to travel, usually with family and sometimes with friends and made several trips to various states around the country, but it didn’t stop there. She also travelled to Mexico, Canada, England and France. Her most favorite adventure was to Egypt where she saw the pyramids, cruised the Nile and rode a camel. When she was home, Donna loved spending time with family and friends, was involved with her church and in later years learned to play the dulcimer. She also enjoyed snow skiing into her later years. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Joseph “Joe” Luketic of Fairmont. Her sons Brian Luketic of Fairmont and Kevin (Lois) Luketic of Rivesville. Three surviving grandchildren, Justin Luketic of Lexington, KY; Lauren Luketic of Manassas, VA; Amber (Trent) Luketic of Rivesville. Three great-grandchildren: Ethan, Grayson, and Emberly of Rivesville. Two surviving brothers: Robert “Bob” (Phyllis) Pawich of Flemington, WV; Rodney (Wilda) Pawich of Washington, PA; and sister, Mary Jean Pawich of Washington, PA. Donna was preceded in death by her granddaughter: Angela Luketic of Rivesville; her parents: Frank and Mary Pawich of Washington, PA; two brothers: Frank Pawich (infant) of Marianna, PA and Ronald Pawich, Sr., of Washington, PA; two nephews: Ronald Jr. and Stacy Pawich of Washington, PA. She will be remembered for her love of family and friends, her personal strength, sense of adventure and again that laugh. We love you, we will miss you and we know that we will see you again. The family has entrusted the arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont. In accordance with Donna’s wishes, cremation services will occur. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11 am in the Central United Methodist Church with Reverend Brad Bennett officiating. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.