Gerald Mondlak Sr.

Gerald J. "Jerry" Mondlak Sr., a lifelong resident of Port Griffith, passed away on Jan. 12, 2026.

Jerry was the son of the late John and Helen (Levandoski) Mondlak. He was a 1957 graduate of Jenkins Twp. High School and attended Rochester Institute of Technology. Jerry owned and operated Mondlak Printery in Port Griffith.

Jerry, also known as "PopPop" to his grandchildren, was always the life of the party, loved to tell jokes and old stories, and his polka dancing was unsurpassed.

Jerry was a member of the 109th Field Artillery Army Unit during the Vietnam Era. He sponsored a Jenkins Twp. Little League team for over 50 years, where he once served as manager. He was a member of the Jenkins Twp. American Legion, Jenkins Twp. Senior Citizens, the Jenkins Twp. Hose Company, where he regularly attended their Executive Meetings (code for poker games). Jerry was a member of the Luzerne County Crime Clinic and the Printers Union 137-C. He was a member of St. Mark's Parish, Inkerman, until its closure.

Jerry was active in politics his whole life. He served as a committeeman, was a Jenkin Twp. tax collector for eight years, and a member of the Luzerne County Democratic Executive Committee where he served as treasurer for over 20 years.

In addition to his wife, Ellen Doyle Mondlak, Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Dr. Gerald Mondlak Jr. (Oct. 2007); and his sister, Regina "Jeanie" Dean.

He is survived by his son, Atty. John Mondlak and his wife, Atty. Michele Sarkos, their sons, Elias and Athanasios, and their daughter, Ariana, Philadelphia; daughter, Susan Mondlak Fenske and her son, Jacob, and daughter, Mia, Shavertown; daughter-in-law, Maria Mondlak, New Jersey, and her daughter, Alexandra, Miami, Florida, and her son, Michael, Poconos; and five nephews and five nieces.

A blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Baloga Funeral Home Inc., 1201 Main St., Pittston (Port Griffith), with Fr. Brian J.W. Clarke, officiating. Relatives and friends may pay their respects during a celebration of Jerry's life from 10 a.m. to service time Friday. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Carverton.

For directions or to send a condolence, visit www.balogafuneralhome.com.