Former Marietta College football assistant Ron Bendekovic passes away

Nov. 2, 2005
ADA, Ohio — Former Marietta College and current Ohio Northern assistant football coach Ron Bendekovic, 34, passed away Wednesday (Nov. 2) afternoon.

The viewing will be Sunday, Nov. 6, from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at the Mastro Francesco Funeral Home at 2026 McMinn Street in Aliquippa, Pa., 15001. The funeral home phone number is 724-375-0496.

The funeral will be Monday, Nov. 7, at 9:30 a.m. at the Saint Francis Cabrini Church at 115 Trinity Drive, Aliquippa. The church phone number is 724-775-6363.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Allegheny football program at 520 Main Street, Meadville, Pa., 16335.

Bendekovic was in his second season as an assistant football coach at Ohio Northern.

He also served at the University as a facilities manager and as a lecturer in the human performance and sport science department.

Bendekovic served as an assistant under former Pioneer head coach Gene Epley, as well as Marietta College's head men's tennis coach from 1998-2000.

Prior to coming to Ohio Northern, he had assistant coaching stints at Baldwin-Wallace from 2002-03, Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) in 2001 and Kentucky State from 1995-97.

He was also a graduate assistant coach at Ohio University in 1994 and at Ohio Northern in 1993. Bendekovic was a four-year letterman and two-time All-American as an offensive guard and tackle at Allegheny (Pa.). He helped the Gators win the 1990 NCAA Divison III title.

He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Allegheny in 1993. He then earned his master’s degree in physical education from Ohio University in 1995.