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A Wetzel and Son Obituary for:
Donald F. Rieco
April 28, 1933 - February 3, 2021


Public Events and Locations

Viewing - Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Wetzel and Son, Willow Grove
Viewing - Thursday, February 11, 2021, 9:20 to 10:20 AM at St. David Church, Willow Grove
Funeral Mass - Thursday, February 11, 2021, 10:30 AM at St. David Church, Willow Grove
Entombment - Thursday, February 11, 2021, 12:00 PM at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham
Reception - Thursday, February 11, 2021, 1:00 PM at MaGerks Pub and Grill, Fort Washington

Contacts

Funeral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 501 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 - 215-659-0911 - Map
Clergy - St. David Church - 316 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 - 215-657-0252 - Map
Cemetery - Holy Sepulchre Cemetery - 3301 West Cheltenham Avenue, Cheltenham, PA 19038 - 215-247-0691 - Map
Family Florist - Domenic Graziano Flowers and Gifts - 60 James Way, Southampton, PA 18966 - 215-355-1550 - Map

Updated obituary information, donation details, and a slideshow of family photos will be added to this page as soon as they are available. Please check back.

Donald F. Rieco of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania died Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Harmony Falls Run in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was 87 years old. Donald was born April 28, 1933 in Abington, Pennsylvania, son of the late Rocco Rieco and the late Margaret Rieco (nee - Vassallo). He is the beloved husband of the late Vannette L. Rieco; father of Steven Rieco and his wife Eva, Christopher Rieco, and Andrew Rieco and his wife Wendy; grandfather of Christopher Jr., Amanda Rogers and her husband Eric, Donald, Ashley, Catherine Rieco and her husband Michael Kunkle Jr., Noah, Emma, Jonathan and Isabella Rieco, and Lauren McAllister and her husband Kevin; great grandfather of Olivia, Naomi, and Finnegan McAllister; brother of the late Betty Taggart and her husband the late Tom, the late Helen Belfatti and her husband the late Richard, the late Daniel Rieco and his wife the late Lucille, the late Catharine Rieco, the late Gilda Sembello and her husband the late Anthony, the late Marie Virta and her husband the late Esko, the late Louis Rieco and his wife Dorothy Rieco.

Donald Rieco grew up in Willow Grove and went to Abington High School. He then attended Penn State Ogontz campus for two years and main campus for two years. Graduated in 1956 with a BS degree in Fuel Technology (Combustion Engineering). Accepted a position with United States Steel Corporation in Fairless Hills, PA where he primarily worked as a foreman in the Sintering and Screening Department until 1966. During this time, he served in the Army Reserves for three years (6 months at Ft. Polk, LA and the remaining time at Willow Grove). Donald then accepted a position with Philadelphia Gas Works as an Industrial Sales Engineer until 1969. Donald then accepted a position with PSE&G as a Sales and Marketing Engineer until his retirement in 1997. While working at PSE&G Donald earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Temple University in 1984. Additionally, he earned many technical certificates along the way including several from Philco Technical Institute and Franklin Institute.

Donald Married Vannette L. Whitaker August 30th 1958 and together they made a permanent home at 101 Brentwood Dr. until Vannette’s passing in late 2012. Donald lived in the house for 56 years total until 2018 when he moved to Harmony at Falls Run in Fredericksburg, VA.

He was involved in many organizations over the years including: Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Upper Dublin Junior Chamber of Commerce, Iron and Steel Engineers, Gas Equipment Guild of Delaware Valley, Metropolitan Phila. Gas Heating and Air Conditioning Council, Asst. Scout Master, Jaycees and Judge of Elections.

He enjoyed Golf, Bowling, Tennis and Gardening in his younger years and found a passion for Coin Collecting, The Mummers and the Stock Market throughout his adult years. He was an avid Penn Stater going to football games until just a few years ago. He enjoyed watching the Eagles and Phillies and attended the 2008 World Series Parade.

Dad knew the value of faith and we attended church every Sunday growing up. The only time he missed church were times when Mom or he was sick. I know he is in a better place.

Relatives and friends were invited to his viewing on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Wetzel and Son Funeral Home, 501 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090. Relatives and friends were also invited to his viewing on Thursday, February 11, 2021 from 9:20 to 10:20 A.M. and Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. both at St. David Church, 316 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090. Entombment followed at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 3301 West Cheltenham Avenue, Cheltenham, PA 19038.

Religious services were conducted by Rev. Matthew P. Windle, Pastor of St. David Church, 316 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

Family flowers arranged by Domenic Graziano Flowers and Gifts 215-355-1550.

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