Submitted by: Dan Rich

Harold C. Pontius

Dec. 6, 1905 - Nov. 4, 2000

South Bend Tribune 11/6/2000

WALKERTON - Harold C. Pontius, 94, a lifetime resident of the Walkerton area, died, following a brief illness, at 9:15 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, in Miller's Mary Manor, Plymouth. He was a resident of Walkerton, living at 19842 W. 3B Road. Born on Dec. 6, 1905, in Walkerton, Harold was the son of Lawrence and Lucy Killian Pontius. He attended Tyner Schools.

On Dec. 5, 1925, in Plymouth, Harold and Blanche K. Burget were married. Blanche died on Feb. 21, 1990. Harold worked for 26 years for Hass Wholesale in South Bend and was a member of Teamsters Local #364. He retired in 1971. An avid reader, he enjoyed gardening and traveling. He and Blanche particularly enjoyed traveling in Pennsylvania in the fall to see the leaves change color. For the past 10 winters, Harold vacationed in Florida.

Harold is survived by three daughters and five sons, 28 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren. His daughters are Dorothy and Paul Hayn, Plymouth, Esther and Jack Bradley, Mishawaka, and Betty and Jerry Schmeltz, Walkerton. His sons are Kenny Pontius and Robert and Wanda Pontius, all of Walkerton, Jim and Sandy Pontius, Osceola, Richard and Colleen Pontius, Ft. Wane, and Donald and Dollie Pontius, Odessa, Florida. A brother, Paul and June Pontius, Walkerton, and a sister, Anna Harmon, Hernando, Fla., also survive. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and two sons, Lawrence Pontius and infant Carl Dwight Pontius.

Friends may visit with the family in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000, from 4 to 8 p.m. and for one hour Wednesday prior to services in the church. The funeral will be held in the Blissville Church of the Brethren of which Harold was a member, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Jim Baker, pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth. Memorial gifts in Harold's memory may be made to the Blissville Church of the Brethren.