Michael Bonk

Mr. Michael C. Bonk, Jr., 97, of New Kensington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 18th. Mr. Bonk was born February 26, 1926, in New Kensington to the late Michael C. and Sophia Matulewicz Bonk. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Theresa Antionette (DiFonso) Bonk (2014), and his sisters, Florence Bonk Lerch (2010) and Margaret Bonk Scalise.

Mr. Bonk was a US Navy Veteran and served as a Machinist First Class in World War II (1943-1946) as part of the US Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Navy Seabees. He participated in numerous major operations during the war, including amphibious landings at the Solomon Islands, Tarawa, Marshall Island, Saipan, and Guam. When his ship was hit and disabled at Iwo Jima, he was assigned and fought with the Marines as a forward observer for 41 days in the battle for Iwo Jima. He was then a part of the conflict at Okinawa. Following that, his LST was one of the first two ships into Tokyo Bay to deliver Marine units to secure the Harbor. He remained with the occupied forces in Japan for one year and returned home in 1946.

In 1950 Mr. Bonk reenlisted to serve as a boilermaker First Class aboard LST #626 for another four years in the Korean War. He was part of the Naval operation of the amphibious landing at Inchon and the siege at Wonsan Habor.

After returning home, he returned to work for the second time at the American Shim Steel Corporation retiring in 1995 after 41 years in the steel mill. Never really retired, Mike could be found all over New Kensington fixing plumbing or heating problems and helping out any friend in need.

Every morning Mike and his three longtime best friends; “Gutta” (Henry Dziadosz), “Weiner” (Vince Yannuzzi), and Greg Meledandri known as the “coffee club,” met at the Bonk’s on Anderson Street, for a cup of coffee, a donut and to share the morning’s news. There wasn’t a day that went by that his family and close friends didn’t stop by to chat and check in on Mike. He enjoyed watching sports, hearing polka music, and listening to the daily mass on the radio.

He is survived by his brother John “Bobbie” (Barbara) Bonk of Soldotna, Alaska; three sons, Michael J. (Theresa) Bonk, New Kensington, David W. (Shelley) Bonk, of New Kensington, and John D. (Susan) Bonk, of New Kensington; a daughter, Lisa R. (Raul) Lizalde, of Escondido, Calif.; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Mr. Bonk was a member of St. Mary of Czestochowa Church of New Kensington.

Michael was a life member of VFW Post 92, New Kensington American Legion, Moose #53, 7th Street Sportsman Club, and Polish Falcons.

The family would like to thank Pleasant Ridge Care, Monarch Hospice, and close friends Mike & Linda O’Neil, Jim Muffley, Chris Brunetti, and Don Arner for their friendship.

Memorial mass will be held at Saint Marys of Czestochowa at a later date.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to RJ Slater IV Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Kensington, 724-335-0100. www.rjslater.com