Howard C. Onderdonk of Niles died at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010 at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an extended illness. He was 82.

He was born on April 15, 1928 in South Bend, Ind. to Howard Walter and Marie G. (Taylor) Onderdonk and lived in South Bend and New Carlisle prior to settling in Niles 45 years ago.

He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Army.

He was employed as a cook in several area country clubs and restaurants and had the honor of cooking for President Gerald Ford when he visited Niles.

Howard enjoyed playing poker at home with family and visiting Las Vegas and formerly enjoyed golfing.

He liked to watch sporting events on television especially the Chicago Cubs and University of Notre Dame football.

He was first married to Zelma Jeanette Doyle. He later married Dessie Pauline Karnes, who preceded him in death on March 9, 2003. He was also preceded in death by sons Robert Ray Onderdonk in 2006, Jess Lee Onderdonk in 2008 and James Rex Onderdonk in 1955 as well as two sisters and three brothers.

Surviving family includes his children, Linda Lou Onderdonk, Howard Lamont Onderdonk, Ricky Dean Onderdonk all of South Bend, Mary Paulette Cook, Vickie Lynn Onderdonk, Harold Paul (Tori) Onderdonk, Kathern Ann (Mark) Bailey, all of Niles, Leroy (JoBeth) Onderdonk of Fort Myers, Fla., Martha Marie Schlender of Thayer, Mo. and Dean Ralph Onderdonk of Mishawaka; step-daughters Janice Fay Duttenhaver of Niles and Earnestine (Bob) Ellis of South Bend; 34 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Funeral services for Howard C. Onderdonk will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor David Szymczak of the First Church of Christ, Niles officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by American Legion Post #26, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Howard Onderdonk may be made to Hospice at Home.