Msgt (Ret) Edward Joseph Rykoskey, US Army, 93, of Carlisle, died Sunday, October 3, 2010, in his home. He was born on Thursday, October 26, 1916, in Benwood, WV and was a son of the late Frank and Marie (Oulik) Rykoskey and was widowed from his loving wife of 61 years, Mary (Stum) Rykoskey, who died Dec. 13, 2004.

Ed was a high school graduate and served in the US Army for more than 20 years. He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean War and retired from active duty as Master Sergeant in 1961. After his retirement from the Army, Ed was employed by Vaulk Manufacturing Co. in New Kingstown for many years. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Carlisle. Ed and his late wife were strong advocates for issues surrounding Prisoners of War and Missing In Action soldiers due to the loss of their son, Lcpl Edward Jay Rykoskey, USMC, MIA-Vietnam-August 18, 1966. He was a member of American Legion Post 101, V.F.W. Post 477, Eagles Aerie 1299, Elks Lodge 578 and the White Circle Club all of Carlisle, also Chambersburg AmVets and the Edward Jay Rykoskey Post #1-Carlisle Vietnam Veterans, Inc. Ed loved playing golf and was an avid bowler at the Eagles up to the age of 90.

He is survived by his son, George D. Rykoskey of Carlisle, a daughter, Sandra A. (and her husband, Virgil) Carney of Silver Springs, NV and four grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by four brothers; Jerome, Frank, Joseph and Emil Rykoskey and a sister, Anna Loughman.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2010, in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, with Rev. Dwight D. Schlaline officiating. Burial with military honors provided by Cumberland County Honor Guard will be in Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens, Carlisle. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Edward Jay Rykoskey Post #1-Carlisle Vietnam Veterans, Inc., P.O. Box 696, Carlisle, PA 17013 or to St. Patrick Catholic Church, 152 E. Pomfret St., Carlisle.