Isabelle Ondecker

Isabelle M. Ondecker 95 of Tallmadge passed away peacefully at the Maison Aine Care Facility on Sunday June 5 2011. Born Isabelle Marie Gierisch in Gardiner NY on November 22 1915 she was the daughter of Theodore and Florence Gierisch. After graduation from New Paltz (NY) High School she entered the New York State Nursing Program at the Hudson River State Hospital in Poughkeepsie NY. She achieved status as a Registered Nurse with additional training at the prestigious Bellevue Hospital in New York City. After several years at Bellevue she entered the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in early 1941 with an initial assignment at Fort Bragg NC. She served as an Army nurse throughout WWII including 2 years overseas in Australia and New Guinea. In 1945 she achieved the rank of Captain in the Army as the war came to a close. Throughout her life postwar she was fiercely proud of her military service and maintained her RN status for many years including employment at the former Little Forest Nursing Home facility in East Akron. On February 15 1947 she married Andrew M. Ondecker of Akron resulting in a marriage lasting over 50 years. She became a member of the former Church of the Annunciation now Visitation of Mary where she made so many long friendships through the Altar and Rosary Society St. Anne's Guild and St. Monica's Study Club. Until quite recently she enjoyed a variety of social activities such as lunch and other gatherings with her family and friends. Isabelle is survived by her sons Michael of Tallmadge and Thomas of Davie FL; brother Frank Gierisch of Gardiner NY; and sister Ellen Gedalje of Salisbury Mills NY; plus a large extended family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Thursday June 9 2011 at Visitation of Mary Catholic Church 87 Broad Street Akron OH with interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at the Hummel Funeral Home 500 E. Exchange St Akron on Wednesday evening June 8 from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. Anne's Guild at Visitation of Mary Church 87 Broad St Akron OH 44305 or the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Maison Aine for the care and attention given in making Isabelle's final days safe and comfortable.