Eleanor S. Palatka

Eleanor S Palatka of Ellwood City, passed away on Monday, November 21, 2022 at Trinity Oaks Personal Care following an extended illness. Eleanor was born September 16, 1928 to the late Joseph and Susanna Fletcher Savu.

She was a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1946. Following high school graduation, Eleanor entered the work force as a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Company in Ellwood City. She subsequently exercised her entrepreneurial spirit as owner of Palatka’s Fine Shoes in Ellwood City. Eleanor also performed duties as office manager and hygienist for Dr. Robert Vaughn and retired as an employee of the State of Pennsylvania. She was a member of the Bell Memorial Church, frequently serving as Cookie, the chief cook and bottle washer for Vacation Bible School. In addition, Eleanor was a member of The Junior Women’s League of Ellwood City, serving in several key leadership positions, to include a term as president.

She is survived by two sons, Joseph D. “Jody” (Darcy) Palatka of Sugar Land, Texas, CDR Robert M. (Terri) Palatka, USCG (Ret) of Winter Springs, Florida; four grandchildren, Joseph D. Palatka, Stephanie Marie (Chris) Burks, Jessica Savu Palatka, Rhiannon Lee (Adam) Smith, 11 great-grandchildren, Joey, Hunter, and Giovanni Palatka, Siena Haile, Isabella, and Patrick Lynch, Dylan and Landon Smith, Blake, Ryan and Brooke Burks, and one great- great-granddaughter, Catania Haile.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, Joseph C. Palatka, her sisters, Anne Levine, Marie “Mary” Ferezan, and Pauline Palatka and her brother, Nicholas Savu.

Visiting hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 25, 2022, in the MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME, 200 Fountain Ave., Ellwood City. Funeral services will be held at the Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 1:30 pm. with her pastor, Rev. Steve Pyler officiating.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Jeffry Wahl and the staff and her fellow residents at Trinity Oaks for their loving care and friendships that they provided.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 610 Line Ave., Ellwood City, PA 16117 or to the donor’s favorite charity.  Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.