Name
Cameron W. Ondresky
Company/Organization
Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
We assist families with all aspects of planning a celebration of life service and follow through with legal documents. We also have the opportunity to support families in areas such as luncheons, monuments, veteran benefits and future planning.
Age
32
Accomplishments
- Five years of marriage to my supportive wife, Ashley.
- Two beautiful daughters, Elliott – 4 and Andersyn 6 months.
- Manager of Swem Chapel, Buchanan.
- Graduate of the Selected Leadership Academy
- Swem Chapel receiving Excellence in Customer Service Award 2021
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
To continue to build and grow my relationship with God. Be involved and supportive of my children’s activities/events. Continue to improve my knowledge and ability to assist the families I have the opportunity to serve. Find the balance to be more involved in our local volunteer groups and actually get on a golf course!
Education
- Graduate of Brandywine High School
- Associate of Science from Lake Michigan College
- Bachelor of Mortuary Science from Wayne State University
Residence
Niles/Buchanan, MI
Where were you born?
Berrien Center, MI
What was your first job?
When I turned 16, I worked at Fazoli’s as a cashier. It was a good opportunity to establish some responsibility, though it did forever ruin my appreciation of their breadsticks.
Best advice you ever got?
You can always control how you respond to things you can’t control.
Who inspires you most?
Derek Jeter. Obviously a very talented baseball player with a very successful and winning career from Kalamazoo. At a young age that is what first drew me in, but under such spotlight to maintain the leadership, professionalism and family mentality he did has been admirable. Most of all, his desire for those around him to succeed and to participate in his teammate’s development.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
I have always wanted to take hip hop dance lessons. Don’t get me wrong, I think I have a decent lineup of go-to moves, though I’ve been told it wouldn’t be hard to find some improvement.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
Family, family, family. I also enjoy working on home improvement/construction projects, watching/playing sports, and exercise (though my participation has been slim for about 5 years, I still like to think about it!)
What book are you reading now?
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Volunteer activity you love the most.
I really enjoy hosting coffee and doughnuts at Swem Chapel for the Memorial Day Parade in Buchanan. We also get to hand out various patriotic items to the community. I think Buchanan organizes a great parade and there is always a nice turnout so it’s amazing to be able to take part in such a paramount holiday and support our veterans.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
I have always been very proud and partial to my hometown. I think the more people contribute and give back to support a community, the more opportunity that community has to grow and give back to its residents. I intend to raise my family here, and I would love them to be able to experience and have the same pride/appreciation for their hometown.
What Superpower would you most love to have? (for example, the ability to fly or to be invisible, or incredible strength, etc)
Teleportation
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I would want to be thought of as dependable and caring. These are traits that I place a very high importance on and am certainly not perfect at fulfilling them 100% of the time. I want to be dependable and caring not only to my family, but also to everyone I interact with. I want people to feel heard and valued. Sometimes that’s as easy as taking the time to be present with people in everyday moments. I hope I can earn those traits to be left as my legacy.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
I am truly grateful and amazed to be included. For me, this serves as a recognition for things my family and I have done professionally and in the community. More than anything, it reminds me of the grace we have as people. For this award to be established and a committee appointed to coordinate selecting a group, and showing appreciation for what they do is amazing. It’s nice to be recognized and it drives me to want to show others appreciation for what they do. Thank you!
