John Ondeyka, 76, Ret. Merck Chemist, Loving Family Man, Cherished Friend
John G. Ondeyka, 76, passed away at Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains, N.J., on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Born in Rochester, Pa., on September 7, 1947 to John and Mary (Kovach) Ondeyka, he grew up in the steel mill town of West Aliquippa, Pa. He has been a resident of Fanwood, N.J., for 44 years.
He earned degrees in chemistry from Geneva College (BS) and West Virginia University (MS), where he met his wife of 46 years, Debra.
John was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, from 1970 to 1973 as a pharmacy specialist, rank SP5.
He was a natural product chemist for Merck & Co., in Rahway, for almost 30 years, with many patents and publications to his name. Some of the compounds he discovered became antifungals and antiparasitics for human and animal health. Following his retirement from Merck, he worked part time at the HepB Research Institute in Pennsylvania.
The ultimate jack-of-all-trades, John enjoyed being an artist, photographer, collector, landscaper, and especially a handyman, who also enjoyed traveling with family and skiing. He was a cherished friend to many, always pleasant, kind and positive with a great sense of humor. Ever a loving father and devoted husband, he will be sorely missed. In addition to his wife, Debra, he is survived by his daughter, Amy Ondeyka, MD (Brian Piacitelli), and his son, Jeff Ondeyka.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Avenue, Fanwood, N.J. 07023. Military Honors will be performed at 3 p.m.
Donations may be made in John’s memory to Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains, N.J., or to Lewy Body Dementia Association.
March 14, 2024
