Lewis R. Palka, 76, Cranberry Twp., passed away December 31, 2023 at home. He was born in 1947 in Spangler, the son of Lewis J. and Helen M. (Petryshak) Palka. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia A. (Rieger) Palka, whom he married in 1970. He is survived by his children: Jacqueline (Brian) Kight, Canton, MI; Jennifer (Chris) Beckett, Sunbury, OH; grandchildren: Sarah (Norm) Detrick, David Kight, Christopher Kight, Claire (Christopher) Burke, Sam Beckett and great grandson, Teddy Burke. He was a 1965 graduate of Cambria Heights High School. He graduated from Penn State University in 1969 with an Industrial Engineering Degree. Lew had a successful and long professional career with PPG in the automotive glass field, where he became a patent holder and held many positions in Engineering, Quality and Systems management, retiring with over 43 plus years of service. His PPG career took him and his family to Altoona, Mansfield, OH, Evansville Ind., and Cranberry Township. He was a member SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Elmora and St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Cranberry Township. He enjoyed fishing (all year long), hunting, and gardening. To this extent he obtained a Masters Gardener certification through Penn State in Butler County. As part of his Master Gardener activities he spent countless hours volunteering and enjoyed sharing his knowledge. He will be missed by all his family and many friends and particularly neighbor and family friend, Steve Smith, whom the two shared many stories throughout the years. Family and friends will be received Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 4:00 pm until the 6:30 pm Panahida at Stevens Funeral Home, Inc. 146 North Main Street Carrolltown. Additional visitation will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 from noon until 12:30 pm at the funeral home, followed by Parastas for the departed at 1:00 pm at SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Elmora, by Rev. Paul Bigelow. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Elmora. You may leave condolences at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or on our Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.