Joseph Allen Ondracek

Joseph Allen Ondracek was born in Dalhart, Texas, on October 15, 1945, to Ed and Florence (née Pine) Ondracek.

He served in the US Air Force as an aircraft mechanic and was deployed to Thailand during the Vietnam War. He returned and married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Carol. They made their home in numerous areas of the United States, but firmly settled in Gaylord, Michigan in 1977. It is here that they raised their daughter in the snowbelt of Northern Michigan.

Joe was a successful engineer throughout his civilian career and worked for the particle board company in Gaylord, MI that changed ownership many times and another in Manistee, MI. At the end of his career, he worked at the Savannah River Site as a member of the MOX project. This move to South Carolina allowed him to enjoy seeing his grandchildren grow up nearly from their birth.

Upon his retirement, he and his wife were snowbirds – enjoying their MI home in the summer and their time with their family in South Carolina in the winter. Joe was able to work on many old and new projects of interest to him. He was an avid technical reader and very handy around the house, always keeping busy and productive. He taught his family many of these handy and resourceful tasks throughout the years! In addition to his technical and mechanical prowess, he was an accomplished artist and enjoyed tapping into his creative side with many media, but mostly oil painting.

He was always up for the next adventure and relished the opportunity to spend time wherever his family would go. He enjoyed attending The Masters on several occasions, traveling to the southwest US numerous times in his life, seeing Broadway shows in New York City, living in Alberta, Canada, going to the beach, and so many more adventures!

He was a faithful and loving caregiver to his wife all her life, as her health waxed and waned during battles with many ailments.

He was a Fourth-Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and was a faithful member of Transfiguration Catholic Church in Blythewood, SC.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol (née Ford) Ondracek and their infant son, Baby Ondracek. He is survived by his daughter, Andrea (née Ondracek) Gatzke (Edward), and his grandchildren, Andrew Gatzke and Elise Gatzke, all of Blythewood, SC.

His family would like to thank the adoring caregivers that assisted with his journey in the final two years of his life. Thank you to the ComForCare organization and to NHC-Lexington during the beginning of his decline. Immense thank you to all the staff at Patriots Village VA Home in Sumter, SC, which he called “The Waldorf”. It is an amazing new facility of which he was delighted to be among the very first residents. Thank you to his team of doctors, nurses, and social workers throughout the last couple of years. Heartfelt thank you to Patriot Healthcare for the hospice care given. Thank you to the Eucharistic ministers who made weekly visits offering the Blessed Sacrament and to the ministers and priests who would come at any time they were requested.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Ondracek will be held 2 o'clock, Friday, September 11th, at Transfiguration Catholic Church, 306 N. Pines Road, Blythewood, SC. A reception will follow at the church.

Final Commendation and Farewell Prayers will be said at 1 o’clock, Saturday, September 12th, at Pinecrest Memorial Park Mausoleum, 12830 Clayton Blvd., Clayton, NC 27520.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.