Donald Lee Updike, 68, of Carteret entered into his eternal reward on Monday, October 24, 2016 at JFK Haven Hospice, Edison, with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania, on April 10, 1948, the son of Mary Frances and Carl Mayberry Updike.

He was educated in local schools and moved to New Jersey in 1966.

In February of 1969 Don enlisted in the Army, was trained as a wireman and served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. He was honorably discharged as an SP4 in February of 1970. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Leaf, 2 O/S Bars and a Marksmanship Badge.

Don was employed by Con Lux Coatings in Edison for many years. He also worked for the Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge, South Amboy YMCA and retired from the Woodbridge Community Center, Township of Woodbridge, in 2014. He is a Past All State Commander of the Fords VFW Memorial Post 6090, a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 233 and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge.

Don was predeceased by his first wife Kathleen Ondar Updike; his parents, his sisters Jessie, Dora and Dolly; and his brothers Carl, Jr. and James.

He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his friend and companion of 24 years, Suzan Kelleher, of Carteret; his daughters Rochelle McNulty and her husband, Dennis, of Fords, Suzane Green and her husband, Lewis, of Sayreville and Captain Amy Updike, US Army, currently stationed in Seattle, WA; his grandchildren Jackie and Carley Green and Jake McNulty; his brothers Frank and Ronald; and several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Funeral will take place on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Costello-Koyen Funeral Home, 399 Avenel Street, Avenel. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery, Fords. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In Lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Adopt a Soldier Platoon, Inc., P.O. Box 1111, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410.