Peter Yaremko, 75, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, at his home, after a very brief battle with cancer.

He was born Nov. 10, 1936, in Berlyn, Western Ukraine, to Mykola and Maria Martyniuk Yaremko. He and Mary Goletz were married Aug. 8, 1970.

Peter taught political science at Southeast Missouri State University 34 years, retiring in 1999. He relished his years teaching and felt his students' success was his success. His favorite piece of advice to students was "Study like hell and don't worry about it."

He was a member of St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bethlehem, Pa., and attended St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; a daughter and son-in-law, Alexandra (Yaremko) and Steve Laurence and their daughter, Eva, of Springfield, Mo.; a son, Mike Yaremko of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Stephanie Yaremko of Tamaqua, Pa.; a brother, Jerry (Nadine) Yaremko of Palmerton, Pa.; two brothers-in-law, Ted (Connie) Goletz of Bethlehem, Ihor Peter Goletz of Brookhaven, Pa.; as well as many nieces and nephews in the United States and Ukraine.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Mychajlo and Stefania Goletz; a sister, Oksana; a brother and sister-in law, Mychajlo and Eugenia Yaremko; a sister and brother-in-law, Anna and William Naydan; and a sister-in-law, Olesia Goletz.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Service will be held later this week at Kohut Funeral Home in Allentown, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary's Cathedral Building Fund, 615 William St., Cape Girardeau, or Food for the Poor, 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, especially his "favorite" grandchild, Eva.

Announcement courtesy of Ford and Sons Funeral Home.