Andrew "Andy" Pejko

Andrew “Andy” Pejko, (USAF,Ret), 93, of Albany, GA, died November 27, 2018 at his residence.  A Funeral Mass will be held Monday at 10:00 AM at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.  Rev. Raymond G. Levreault and Rev. Stephen Pontzer will officiate.  Interment will follow at 12:00 Noon at Andersonville National Cemetery.

A native of Belt, Montana, Mr. Pejko grew up in Belt and graduated from Belt Valley High School.  He was drafted by the United States Army in 1943 and was discharged in 1946.  During his World War II service he was stationed in the Pacific Theatre and participated in five beach landings.  Mr. Pejko received the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with V emblem, the Purple Heart for wounds received on Okinawa, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, the Asia-Attic Pacific Theater Medal with Silver Arrowhead, the Philippines Theater Ribbon & Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Philippines Liberation Ribbon & Medal and the Japan Occupation Ribbon & Metal.

After five years, Mr. Pejko joined the Montana Air National Guard and was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict in 1951, helped open Moody Air Force Base and was stationed in England during 1953-1954, where he received the European Medal & Ribbon.

He was also stationed in Vietnam from 1967-1968 and assigned to Anka, Vietnam and supported the Air Calvary and 101 Division’s 173 Brigade. During Vietnam, he received the Air Force Commendation Metal and the Vietnam Service Ribbon with two stars and the Air Force Longevity service Ribbon.

After retirement, Mr. Pejko was employed with Trust Company Bank and was a member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.  He was also a member of the American Legion Post # 30, Air Force Sergeant Association and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Pejko was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Anna Ruth Deloach Pejko, his sisters, Martha Nicholson, Mary Scherer, Rosalie Johnson, Margaret Hanzel, Millie Veleber, and his brothers, John Pejko, George Pejko, and Edward Pejko.

Survivors include his daughters, Judy Russell, Albany, Andrea Sikes (John), Greensboro, NC, grandchildren, Sara Wadkins (Shawn), Leesburg, GA, Melissa Odom (David), Newnan, GA, Paige White, Leesburg, GA, John Andrew Sikes, Greensboro, NC, six great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and one step great-great grandchild.

A rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM Sunday at Mathews Funeral Home with visitation to follow.

In lieu of flowers please make memorials to St. Teresa’s Catholic School, St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, American Heart Association, or the American Cancer Society.