Daniel F. Ankudovich (1927 - 2007)
Artist, WW II veteranMay 29, 2007
Daniel F. Ankudovich, 80, of the Green Ridge section of West Hazleton, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening at Hazleton General Hospital.
He was born in Mainville, son of the late William D. and Anna (Yenneshitis) Ankudovich.
He had retired from PP&L in the custodial and maintenance department and was working part-time for the Hazleton Standard-Speaker.
A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army with the rank of corporal in the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign. He also served for an additional four years after re-enlisting in the Army and was stationed in Italy and Germany as a corporal in the Military Customs Unit. He was honorably discharged from the Army after eight years of service to his country.
He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul's Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church, Hazleton.
Daniel was a graduate of Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Fla., and was considered a professional artist, mainly portraying wildlife. His work appeared on numerous covers of various sportsman and game magazines.
He completed restorations of statues for various churches in the Hazleton area. One of his greatest restoration works was for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C;
Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were sisters, Aldona Bayzik, Marion Witcofski and Agnes Lindeman; and a brother, Anthony Ankudovich.
Surviving are sisters, Regina Schreiner and her husband, Jack, Chestertown, Md.; and Lucy Drasher and her husband, Leo, Drums; and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Also throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed fishing with his faithful partner and best friend, Tom Pesock.
His funeral will be held Friday at 9 a.m. from Hilary J. Bonin Funeral Home, 99 W. Green St., West Hazleton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in Ss. Peter and Paul Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev. Mark G. Balczeniuk as celebrant.
Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home today from 6 to 8 p.m.
Source: Hazleton Standard-Speaker, May 31, 2007.