With great sadness, we inform you of the passing of Li’l John Nalevanko, a 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee. We offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to his children, grandchildren, and all his polka friends and fans.
John G. Nalevanko, Sr., 72, of Greensburg, died Monday, June 23, 2025, in Independence Health System Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. He was born August 22, 1952, in Greensburg, a son of the late John J. and Catherine (Bohatch) Nalevanko. Prior to retirement, John worked as a salesman for Scott Electric.
Religion was very important to John. He was a member of St. Paul Parish, Greensburg and attended many local Catholic churches. John loved his family, especially his beloved grandchildren, and knew everybody. He had a passion for polka music and played drums with various polka groups, most notably the Music Tones and ATM Band. He was also known for being a polka DJ and host of Li’l John’s Polka Show. Li’l John was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2011.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline A. (Kowalewski) Nalevanko; and his father-in-law, Eugene Kowalewski, Sr. He is survived by his son, John G. Nalevanko, Jr; his daughter, Nicole A. Nalevanko (Christopher Leonard); two grandchildren, Cecilia and Archer Leonard; his mother-in-law, Maryann Kowalewski; his sister-in-law, Theresa Soforic (Amos); his brother-in-law, Eugene Kowalewski, Jr. (Terri); his girlfriend, Carol Semo; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 4 to 8 PM Thursday at the LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 516 Stanton Street, Greensburg. Prayers will begin at 9:30 AM Friday in the funeral home, followed by a funeral mass to be celebrated at 10 AM in St. Paul Parish, Greensburg. Interment will follow in Transfiguration Cemetery, Mount Pleasant. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 444 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 862, Carnegie, PA 15106. www.bachafh.com