Michael D. Pontius

Michael "Ponch" David Pontius, 58, of Freeport, passed away surrounded by his family, Monday, April 12, 2016 at Freeport Memorial Hospital. He was born September 4, 1957, in Freeport, IL, son of John and Mary Ann (Pfeiffer) Pontius. He married Dawn Elizabeth Westaby on July 5, 1986, at First Lutheran Church in Freeport, the hottest day of the year in a church with no air conditioning. They enjoyed 29 years of marriage. Mike retired in 2005 from the Freeport Fire Department after nearly 14 years of service. He was a member of the Illinois Association of Retired Firefighters, the IAFF, and the AFFI. He was also a proud member of the Firefighters Local 441, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, First Lutheran Church, and Knights of Columbus. Everywhere Mike went he knew someone, and if he didn't, he knew your life story before you left. He was a 1975 graduate of Aquin High School. He spent many years working and volunteering his time for Aquin, he loved interacting with the youth more than anything. In his 29 years at the school, Mike wore many hats such as janitorial, coaching basketball and football, assistant director of theatre, co-chairman to many fundraisers, serving as Grand Marshall for Homecoming 2009, and performed as one of the "Andrew Sisters." He was a die hard Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. His greatest disappointment in life was having three sons who supported his nemesis, the Green Bay Packers. Mike endured a lot of health issues, but he always remained positive and was an incredible inspiration to others, leaving a legacy behind that will not soon be forgotten. Mike is survived by his wife Dawn (Westaby) Pontius of Freeport, IL; three sons Josh and Jerek Pontius, Jordan Pontius (special friend Hillary Avampato) of Freeport, IL, and his daughter Kirsten Pontius (special friend Trent Jones) of Freeport, IL; his mother Mary Ann (Pfeiffer) Pontius of Freeport, Il; his brother James Pontius of Mainville, OH; his sister Linda (Scott) Stykel of Freeport, IL; father and mother-in-law Wayne and Carol Westaby; sister-in-law Denise (John) Pettepiece; brothers-in-law Delmar (Theresa) Westaby and Dwayne (Kathy) Westaby; many nieces and nephews: Katie (Kevin) Buckley, Kelly Pontius, Alex and Katherine Stykel; Mikaela (Kirk) Klumpers; Hannah Pettepiece; Kaleena (Kyle) Stephan; Brittani, Austin, Blade, Ceara, and Braden Westaby; great-nieces and nephews: Charlotte Buckley, Liam and Nolan Klumpers; and other family friend Sara Pontius. He was preceded in death by his father John "Jack" Pontius and his grandparents. Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Thursday April 14, 2016 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, with a Scripture service beginning at 3:00 p.m. There will also be a visitation Friday April 15, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday April 15, 2016 at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Mike's memory. Please sign his guestbook and share a story at www.burketubbs.com.