PONDER, John - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John Ponder, age 53, of 215 Railroad St., suffered a fatal heart attack and died at 9:45 a.m. today, Oct. 9, in a boat in the Wabash River about two miles north of Covington. He had gone squirrel hunting with Woodrow Wilson (Frenchie) Allen and James Barker and the trio had gone about two miles upstream when he suffered a heart attack and died. Allen and Barker returned the boat to the Covington boat landing at the west end of Washington St. Asa Cruea, who resides at 107 Washington St., notified the office of Fountain County Sheriff George E. Cruea. Fountain County Coroner Ralph Nelson of Veedersburg also investigated. Mr. Ponder was born Feb. 8, 1910 in Berea, Ky., the son of May and Hattie Maupin Ponder. He was married Nov. 4, 1942 to Betty Lou Hancock, who survives. His early life was spent in the Indianola and Sidell, Ill., communities where he attended school. He was a member of the Baptist Church at Indianola. He moved to Covington in the early 1930's. For the past several years he was a construction contractor in Michigan and he spent the winter months at his home here. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are: three sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Ethel Smeeton, Mrs. Gladys Keister, Luther Ponder and Mrs. Ann Ruggles, all of Danville, Ill., and William Ponder of Veedersburg; one aunt; two uncles, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. The body is at the Bodine & Shelby Funeral Home here. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.   --typed by Walt W

COVINGTON—John D. Ponder, 53, sustained a fatal heart attack at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday while squirrel hunting near here. He had been in failing health eight years. He was born Feb. 8, 1910 at Berea, Ky., son of May and Pattie Maupin Ponder. He was married Nov. 4, 1942 to Betty Lou Hancock. Mr. Ponder attended school in Illinois and was a member of the Indianola, Ill. Baptist Church. He moved to Covington about 30 years ago and was employed in highway construction and landscaping in Michigan for 31 years before retiring last July. Mr. and Mrs. Ponder resided in this community during the winter months each year. He was a member of Operating Engineers Union in Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the VFW and American Legion posts here. Surviving include the widow; two brothers, Luther of Danville, Ill. and William of Veedersburg; three sisters, Mrs. Ethel Smeeton, Mrs. Gladys Keister and Mrs. Ann Ruggles, all of Danville, Ill. He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Bodine & Shelby Funeral Home here with Rev. Glenn Ray officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery here with military rites by the American Legion and VFW. Friends may pay their respects at the funeral home.   --typed by Walt W