Obituary of Richard D. Ondriezek

ONDRIEZEK – Richard D., 88, Nanty Glo, died June 22, 2011, at Memorial Medical Center. Born Dec. 5, 1922, in Nanty Glo, son of the late George and Elizabeth (Jailet) Ondriezek. Preceded in death by wife of 65 years, Melda (Sunderland) Ondriezek; infant son, Andrew Paul; son-in-law, William Conrad; infant grandson, Andrew Paul Conrad; brothers, Oscar, Harry (Pete), George, Thomas, John, (Mike) and Edward; sisters, Gussie Schwing, Irene Rager, Elizabeth Gay and Margaret (Peg) Bowman; and infant sisters, Ethel and Anna Ondriezek. Rich was the last surviving of 13 children. Survived by children, Diana Conrad, Harry Robert and Suzan (Joseph) Popich, all of Nanty Glo, and Roland T. Warzel Jr., Belsano; grandchildren, Eleanor (Thomas) Schutt, Richard (Carrie) Conrad, Elizabeth Freed, Harry Ondriezek Jr., Traci Lynn Ondriezek, Katherine (Richard) Davis, Roland T. Warzel III, Kayla Warzel, Nichole Popich and Jennifer Popich; great-grandchildren, David, Diana, Deaven, Dylan, Richard, Tiffany, Charnae, Kennedy, Emma, Aaron Samuel, Sidney, Christina, Lili and Emily Kate. Member of St. Mary’s Church, Nanty Glo. Richard and his brother, Harry, owned and operated the Ondriezek Funeral Home in Nanty Glo, until Harry’s retirement, Rich then ran the funeral home until 1976. Rich was proud of his service in the Navy as a corpsman. He served in the Pacific campaign in Hilo, Hawaii and the Battle of Iwo Jima. He also was in Sapporo, Japan. Member and past commander of both the Nanty Glo Legion, Post 619, and Nanty Glo VFW, Post 3489. Original charter member of the Lions Club and Flood City Bottle Club. A 60-year member of the Nanty Glo Fire Company, Cambria County Fireman’s Association, Central Districts Firemen’s Association, Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association and Pennsylvania State Firemen’s Association. Founding member of BVFAS and Coal Country Auto Club. Rich loved to bowl and helped make Christmas treats to be given out at school. He made numerous jackets with needle punch designs. Rich loved spending time with his family, especially his great-grandchildren. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Bowser-Ondriezek Funeral Home, Nanty Glo, where liturgical wake will be held Sunday evening. A firemen’s service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Church, the Rev. Father Martin A. Cingle, celebrant. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nanty Glo Fire Company or Pallative Care at Memorial Medical Center. Veterans service will be conducted by the local veterans organizations.