Obituary of Janis Preston Zelko

Horseheads:  Janis, age 88, passed away at her home, surrounded by her loving and devoted family, on Thursday, September 19, 2024.  Janis is predeceased by her parents Charles and Lena (Jenkins) Preston, sisters, Marcella Skillman, Blanche Baldwin, and brother Maxwell Preston.  She is survived by her loving husband of 70 years Ray Zelko; children and their spouses, Joanne and Bob Zawko, Barbara and Roger Walton, Mickey and Carol Zelko, Danny and Karen Zelko; seven grandchildren, Amy Sonner (Jeff), Amanda Smallcomb (Robert), John Walton (Kate), Chris Zelko, Sarah Kawzenuk (Brian), Patrick Zelko (Mara), Aaron Zelko (Grace); seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brothers-in-law, Bill Zelko, Jim Zelko (Jean); sisters-in-law, Marie Santone (Nick), Peggy Zelko; along with her loving nieces and nephews.  Janis had a special relationship with nieces, Betsy Alig and Faye Potter. 

Janis was born in Elmira, and attended Thomas A. Edison High School, where she met her high school sweetheart, Ray.  They celebrated 70 years of marriage on August 26^th.   Family was most important to Janis, whether it was attending her children’s, then grandchildren’s, sporting events, annual visits to Lake Ontario, remembering her family and friends with cards for every occasion, and her daily lunches, with Ray, at Wendy’s.  Janis had a 25-year career with the Horseheads School District where she was a secretary.  She enjoyed her trips to Tioga Casino, getting her hair done weekly, going to Horseheads Elks Club, with Ray, to enjoy their polkas and slow dances together and the club’s fish fry’s.  Janis was a long-time volunteer at Arnot Ogden Medical Center.  A devout Catholic, she was a communicant of St. Mary Our Mother Church in Horseheads. 

Janis’ services will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at St. Mary Our Mother Church, 816 W Broad Street, Horseheads NY.  Calling hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial.

Those wishing may remember Janis with a donation to the Falck Cancer Center, Suite 102, 571 St. Joseph’s Boulevard, Elmira NY 14901.