Frank J. Lackner

Frank J. Lackner, 79 of Latrobe, PA passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. Frank was born March 1, 1944, in Verdreng, Yugoslavia the son of the late Michael and Hedwig Lackner (née Schemitsch).  A loving husband, step-father, step-grandfather, step-great grandfather and uncle to those who survive him: his beloved and devoted wife of 33 years, Joan Kraisinger Lackner (née Zajdel) of Latrobe, PA; nephews, Joseph (Cathie) Pisk, Eric (Kimberly) Pisk and Mark Pisk; great nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Joseph, Taylor, Jackson, Jessica and Gianna Pisk; step-sons, Bobby Lehan, Jerry (Alison), Paul, Chuck (Maricel) and Drew (Phyllis) Kraisinger; step-grandchildren, Laura, Joe, Tara, Cameron, Jon Paul, Owen, Elizabeth, Anna, and CJ; step-great grandchildren, Carson, Enzo, Ruby, Graham, and Sloane; aunt-in-law, Lina Lackner; cousins, Traudi Karr, Linda Rodkey, Reinhard and John Schmuck, Joseph and Werner Sommer, Ingrid Samperi, Edmund Schemitsch, Irene Tramposch, Heidi Kirmaier, and Frank Lackner; and brother-in-law, Josef A. Pisk.
After coming to this country with his entire extended family, who suffered many hardships in war-torn Europe, he was educated in Catholic schools as a youth and went on to receive degrees from City College of New York, B.A. in German, and New York University, M.A. in Education.
Frank was employed as a teacher at Brooklyn Technical High School, a realtor with Hammill-Quinlan, a mail carrier with the United States Postal Service, a welder with Elliott Company, various positions of increasing responsibility with Volkswagen of America, a substitute teacher in the greater Latrobe area, and a domestic relations officer with Westmoreland County, PA until his retirement.  Frank loved music and was an accomplished musician, particularly with the accordion, and a wonderful singer, notably of country music. He enjoyed his wife’s cooking, drinking beer, late-night discussions with his stepsons and nephews, working in the yard, fixing equipment, and cheering on the Steelers. He was also an avowed nature lover, who enjoyed talking to his fish (especially Garfield), little birds, and other creatures roaming his beautiful property in the country.
Frank was a faithful member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Whitney, PA. 
In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his infant sister, Elfriede Lackner, and a loving sister and cherished friend, Hildegard Pisk; cousins, John J. Lackner Sr. and Mildred Wolf; aunts, Josephine Schmuck, Stephanie Sommer, Maria Schemitsch and Maria "Mitzi" Mische; and uncles, Siegfried Schemitsch, Frank, John and Joseph Lackner.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 4PM and 6 to 8PM Monday, May 8, 2023, at SLATER-REGA FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 730 W. MAIN STREET, MT. PLEASANT, where parting prayers will begin at 9:30AM Tuesday, May 9, 2023, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10AM at Visitation Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant. Interment will be in the Visitation Cemetery.  Please visit Frank's online memorial at rega.slaterfuneral.com <http://rega.slaterfuneral.com/> to sign the condolence guestbook. Richard Rega, funeral director.