Mr. Michael Onderko, 95, of Port Orange, FL passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024, at
Emory L. Bennett Veterans Nursing Home in Daytona Beach, FL.
Michael (Mike) was born on November 18, 1928, to the late Michael and Elizabeth Onderko
(Mihalik) of Hazleton, PA. Born and raised in Hazleton, PA, he attended Hazle Township High
School. He worked several jobs after high school before being drafted into the US Army in 1951
during the Korean War Era. Mike served his country for 21 years in active duty, reserves and
National Guard roles retiring from the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel.
A longtime resident of Manville, NJ where he resided until moving to Port Orange, FL after
retiring. Mike worked 34 years for Verizon as a cable splicer, splicing foreman and
telecommunications engineer. While attending a dance in Freeland, PA, Mike met his future
wife, Rosemary Butcher. The two were married on September 3, 1955, and were together for
63 years before her passing in 2018. While residing in Manville, NJ, Mike was a parishioner of
Christ the King Church and of Our Lady of Hope Church while living in Port Orange, FL.
Mike was a do-it-yourself kind of guy. Whether it was enclosing a front porch, upgrading a
whole house heating system, or finishing a basement no job was too large or complex for him
to handle.
Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary, parents Michael and Elizabeth, brothers
David and Thomas, sisters Mary and Dorothy. He is survived by son Russell Onderko and his
wife Judy of Hackettstown, NJ; son Richard Onderko and his wife Sharon of Manville, NJ;
grandson Daniel Onderko and his wife Autumn of Hampton, NJ; brothers John and Donald,
sister Elizabeth Youngkins.
At the family's request, there will be a memorial service and burial of the ashes at a later date.
The family would very much appreciate donations be made in Mike's name to the Paralyzed
Veterans of America, www.PVA.org.