Michael Albert Kondzella
CARBONDALE — Michael Albert Kondzella, 92, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019.
Mike was born June 9, 1927, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Michael Nicholas and Gertrude (Landowski) Kondzella. Upon graduating from high school, he enrolled at the University of Illinois, where he received his bachelor’s degree and immediately enlisted in the Navy to fight in World War II.
Upon completing his military obligation, he returned to school, earning a law degree from Rutgers and later a master’s in chemistry from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.
Michael had a long career practicing patent law for a number of law firms in New York City; Elkhart, Indiana; Chicago; Shaker Heights, Ohio; and the Los Angeles area, as well as a private practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Circumstances necessitated that Mike move closer to family in 2016, and he chose Carbondale, where he could retain a degree of independence at Prairie Living at Chautauqua. There he happily spent his last few years. Living in the same community as his daughter and son-in-law, Mike was able to continue activities he enjoyed most: maintaining Rotary membership, playing his viola in the Logan community orchestra and being an active member of Epiphany Lutheran Church. He made friends wherever he went, and his friends played an important role in helping him maintain an active lifestyle and a new sense of community.
Mike is survived by his children, Valerie (Dan) Theisen of Lake Orion, Michigan; Kate (Jim) Renshaw of Carbondale; Toby (Lisa) Kondzella of Chesapeake, Virginia and Patrick Kondzella of Los Angeles, California, as well as grandchildren, Seth and Dana Milam and Elizabeth, Michael and Thomas Kondzella.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frederick Kondzella; sons, Dana Frederick and Michael Joseph and his wife and mother of their children, Barbara (Dalrymple) Kondzella; and wife, Maureen Bisanz.
Mike’s faith in the Lord was unwavering. He expressed that faith through his loving acceptance of others and volunteering much of his time to humanitarian causes.
It was his wish to be cremated. Pastor Paul Waterman will be officiating a 2 p.m. memorial service this Saturday, Oct. 19, at Epiphany Lutheran Church. Following the memorial service there will be a time of fellowship and light refreshments. There will also be a celebration of Mike’s life at Prairie Living at Chautauqua, time is pending. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
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