Funeral arrangements announced for late LHHS football coach Malinak

FLEMINTGON, PA – Donald E. Malinak, 90, of Flemington, passed away Thursday, January 19, 2023 at The Gatehouse Hospice, Williamsport, his loving wife, Nancy at his side.

Born July 7, 1932 in Steelton, PA, Don was the son of the late Thomas and Anna Bankovic Malinak.
Don was a 1950 graduate of Steelton High School where he was a standout defensive end, earning him a scholarship to play football at Penn State University.

While at Penn State from 1950 until his graduation in 1954, Don continued his educational and athletic endeavors, leading the Nittany Lions in receptions as a sophomore and served as Co-Captain of the team his senior year.  Following graduation from Penn State University with his bachelor’s degree in Education, Don was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While attending training camp for the Steelers, Don was drafted by the United States Army, serving our country honorably until 1957 when he returned home and accepted the head football coaching job at Mount Union High School. After a year of coaching the football and wrestling teams at Mount Union, Coach Malinak and his good friend and longtime assistant coach, Bernie Myers, relocated to Lock Haven where Coach Malinak served as a physical education teacher and began his legendary tenure as head football coach of the Lock Haven High School Bobcats. During his years at Lock Haven High School, Coach Malinak led the Bobcat’s through 10 straight winning seasons, including an undefeated season in 1961.  He proudly earned Central Counties Coach of the Year honors in 1961 and 1967. In 1983, following 27 seasons as Head Coach and compiling a record of 176 wins, 90 losses and 9 ties, Coach Malinak stepped down as head football coach and took the Athletic Director position at Lock Haven High School, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1993. During his years of coaching and teaching, Don and his late wife, Patsy Hartman Malinak, raised their four children together.

Coach Malinak had a tremendous impact on countless students, players and community residents over his many years of teaching and coaching. In 1991 he was elected to the PA Scholastic Football Hall of Fame and in 2012 to the West Branch Chapter of the PSHOF. He was also proud to have been selected to coach in the Pennsylvania Big 33 football game. To his great credit, the physical education-athletic stadium at Central Mountain High School was named in his honor in 2009.

On April 11, 1987 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Don married the former Nancy Baker, who survives.

Don was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Parish, attending Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Lock Haven.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Greg (Sue) Malinak of Florida, Donald Malinak of Florida and Tim (Anne) Malinak of Mechanicsburg; a daughter, Marybeth Malinak of Camp Hill; two step children, Jeff (Jennifer) Horn of Florida and Brenda Horn of Williamsport; a sister, Gertrude Salinger; fifteen grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and first wife, Don was preceded in death by six siblings: Francy Zerance, Dottie Newell and Tom, James, Arthur and Jack Malinak.

A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 4 p.m.at the former Lock Haven High School Gymnasium, 300 Block, W. Main Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745 with Rev. Father Joseph Orr officiating. Military Honors will follow.

Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lock Haven, will be held privately.

Friends and family will be received at the gymnasium for a time of viewing on Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. until the start of the service.

Memorial contributions in Coach Malinak’s memory may be made through the funeral home to the Keystone Central Foundation Mini Grant.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.donaldwalkerfuneralhome.com