Charles Ontko, Jr., 66, of 40 Belavista Drive, Marietta, died Thursday (Nov. 27, 2008) at James Cancer Hospital in Columbus. He was born Nov. 12, 1942 in Martins Ferry to Charles and Mary Motto Ontko, Sr. He was a 1960 graduate of Martins Ferry High School. Charles was a U.S. Army veteran, serving with the 74th Army Band, during the Vietnam era. He was stationed in Ft. Harrison, Ind.. Charles was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and former member of the local Musicians Union. He had played at The American Legion and with the Doug Hess Band. Charles was a charter member of the brass choir at St. Mary Church. He also was employed as a truck driver for Iddings Trucking for more than 40 years. He enjoyed his family most of all, including traveling to see his sons and daughter perform at various sporting and musical events. He is survived by his mother of Martins Ferry; his wife, Patricia Jo Johnson Ontko, who he married on July 16, 1966; three sons, John of Marietta, Jeffrey (Leah) of Gloucester, Va. and Michael (Chandra) of Caldwell; his daughter, Denise Malone of Marietta; three grandchildren, Casee, Emily and Jeffrey Charles Ontko; step grandson, Kevin Smith and step sister, Martha Moore (Harry) of Toronto. He was preceded in death by his father. Funeral Liturgy, with Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Mary Catholic Church, with the Rev. Msgr. John Michael Campbell as celebrant. Entombment will be in East Lawn Mausoleum. Friends may call at the Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. There will be a Vigil Service at 8 p.m. on Sunday. The family would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Kelli Cawley and her staff at Strecker Cancer Center. Donations may be made to St. Mary Church, 506 Fourth St., Marietta 45750, Strecker Cancer Center, 401 Matthew St., Marietta, or James Cancer Hospital, 300 W. 10th Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43210. Cawley & Peoples offers online condolences by visiting their Web site, www.cawleyandpeoples.com
