John Walter Ondriezek

John Walter Ondriezek
Latrobe Community Leader, Peoples Gas Employee
John W. Ondriezek, 88, of Clearwater, Florida, (previously of Latrobe), passed away March 10, 2023, at his home in Clearwater.
Born July 4, 1934, in Latrobe Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late Walter John and Elenore (Riggle) Ondriezek from Latrobe.
A devout Catholic, he was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church and served on the parish council. Later, an active member of Saint Brendan Catholic Church in Clearwater, Florida. John started his long successful career at the age of 18 working in the field with Peoples Natural Gas Company. He held many positions over the 45 years with the company, from accounting in Latrobe, Accounting Manager in Greensburg, to Credit Collection Manager at the home office in downtown Pittsburgh. John insisted on living in Latrobe because he loved the community and felt it was the best place to raise his children. He was actively involved with every aspect of his children's lives and the community. John was President of the Kiwanis Club and President of Latrobe Midget Football. From 1970 to 1976, he served on the Latrobe School Board, and was then elected as President. In 1964, together with Charlie Gray and Ron Schirf, they started the Latrobe Junior Olympic Wrestling program, and ran that program for 13 years until 1977. This program impacted the lives of countless local youths who later went on to high school and college wrestling. He was married to MaryAnn (Callaghan) Ondriezek, together having six children, and later to his current wife Caroline Kaufmann.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, William and Margaret (Gilligan) Callaghan, and an infant son, Patrick. His loving sister, Joyce (Ondriezek) Terwilliger, and brother Thomas Ondriezek.
He is survived by his first wife MaryAnn (Callaghan) Ondriezek, and current wife Caroline Kaufmann; children: Walter John Ondriezek, Richard Ondriezek (Colleen), Sandra Ondriezek, Kevin Ondriezek (Karen), Lynda Ondriezek Starceski, and LeeAnn Ondriezek Walter (James); grandchildren: Sarah Ondriezek, Ryan Ondriezek, Thomas Ondriezek (Nia), Christine Maclay (Cullen), John Paul Starceski (Katelyn), Daniel Starceski (Kara), Theresa Starceski, Joe Starceski, Michael Lee Trout, Calista Trout, Ray Trout, and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to his loving caregivers, Beth Willis, and his hospice team in Florida.
Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass at 10 AM on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Holy Family Church, Latrobe. Private interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Latrobe. Local arrangements are being handled by the Lopatich-Brinker Funeral Home, LLC, 601 Weldon Street, Latrobe. To sign the online guest book, send condolences, or share a story, please visit www.lopatichbrinker.com.