ANDRICHAK, JR., Michael (Mike)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Saturday, December 29, 2012 Michael (Mike) Andrichak Jr., 81, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, with his wife at his side. Mike was born April 29, 1931, in Kearny, N.J., to Michael and Elizabeth Mary (Schurmann) Andrichak. After graduating from Kearny High School in 1949, Mike enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps. Mike found himself on Parris Island for boot camp, Great Lakes Naval Air station and then to Camp Pendleton, Calif. Mike fought in the Korean War with the North Korean Guerrillas and received a citation from the South Korean president. He then went on to serve two tours in the Vietnam War. Mike retired in 1970, as a gunnery sergeant after 21 years in the Marine Corps. He received numerous military medals and ribbons. After retiring from the Marines, Mike enrolled into the University of South Dakota and received a degree in computer science. He then went to work for General Electric (GE) and retired from GE in 1989. Mike is a lifetime member of BVA, DAV, Marine Corps League, NRA, and the Elk and Moose. In 1966, Mike married Elaine Cicerone and had two children, Diane and Michael (Mike) III. Elaine (Cicerone) Andrichak precedes Mike in death in 1984. In 1995, Mike married Elaine (Ryan) Andrichak. Mike is survived by his wife, Elaine Andrichak; daughter Diane (Ben) Walker; son Michael Andrichak III; four grandsons; four step-daughters that he loved as his own; seven step-grandchildren; sister Betty Hambright of Texas; and brother William Andrichak of Nebraska. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m., Jan. 2, 2013, at Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, 2825 West Rose Canyon Circle, Phoenix. Father Mark Harrington will be officiating. Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mike's name to Hospice of the Valley, Eckstein Center, 9808 North 95th St., Scottsdale, AZ. Information provided by survivors.