The diocese is mourning the passing of a senior deacon.
Deacon Michael A. Ondik, 92, of State College, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Centre Care. He was the widower of Nancy Ann Marie Ondik.
Born February 26, 1934, in Lloydell, PA, he was a son of the late Michael and Verna (Gomola) Ondik.
Deacon Ondik was a U.S. Army veteran.
In his earlier days, Deacon Ondik was a stone mason. He then worked as a wildlife biologist for Penn State University managing the deer pens. Devoted to his career, he won Wildlife Conservationist of the Year two times in a row and was a past President of the PA Wildlife Federation.
Deacon Ondik was a devoted member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and served as a deacon with the Altoona Diocese for over 20 years. He received the Prince Gallitzin Cross Award. Notably, he ministered at Rockview State Prison and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree. Deacon Ondik was a talented public speaker and routinely entertained and educated many with his slideshows of wildlife and our natural world.
He liked telling people he was the proud son of a coal miner. He enjoyed photography and was proud of his flower gardens.
Surviving are two sons, Michael (Nancy) and Patrick Ondik; a daughter, Dolores Rittenhouse (Bruce); six grandchildren, Chelsea Sankey, Justin Ondik (Jackie), Terran Swancer (Jared), Michael Ondik (Emelia), Nicole Ondik, and Michaela Rittenhouse; and 7 great-grandchildren, Ava, Rowan, Chase, and Wren Ondik and Tucker, Sawyer, and Bella Swancer.
An evening visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Parish, 867 Grays Woods Blvd, Port Matilda. An additional visitation will occur at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday March 26, 2026, immediately followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., also at Good Shepherd Parish with Bishop Mark Bartchak as celebrant and Father Jozef Kovacik and priests of the diocese as concelebrants. Join via livestream at https://www.youtube.com/@GoodShepherd-SC/live.Â
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Deacon Ondik’s parish, addressed above.
