Elza Ponder, U.S Army Ret.'s Obituary
Ponder, Elza, 84, A retired U.S. Army Officer and decorated Korean War veteran, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Suncoast Hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida. He was born in Livingston, Kentucky, on January 18, 1931 to Ernest Cleo Ponder and Elsie [Taylor] Ponder. Elza married Betty L. Rutan, of Bismarck, Illinois, on June 4, 1950 in Danville, Illinois. Elza had a distinguished career with 7Up Bottling Company Golf Linen, and the Illinois National Guard. Elza, Betty, and Sammy retired to Florida in 1993 from Springfield, Illinois. Elza was passionately involved in the following organizations: 55 year member of the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge #38 F&AM, A.A. Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Shriners, Military Officers Association, Retired Officers Association, Korean War Veterans, 2nd Infantry Division Assoc., Am Vets Lodge #8, American Legion Post #273, life member of VFW Post #4256, and DAV. Elza also served three terms as Commander of VFW Post #755 in Springfield, Illinois. Elza was a member of the congregation at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, a supporter of the National Museum of the United States Army and the Korean War Memorial, as well as a volunteer at Bay Pines VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents: Elsie Ponder Ward and Ernest Cleo Ponder; step-father, Henry Ward; brothers, Ernest, Leroy, and Donald; cousin, Lloyd (Scotty); son-in-law, William (Bill) Thompson III; and son, Curtis (Sammy). Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Betty; brothers, William (Russ), James and his wife, Elsie; sister-in-law, Carol; daughter, Vicki Thompson; sons, Daryl and his wife, Cindy, Scot and his wife, Elvira, and Mark; multiple nieces and nephews; 7 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home in St. Petersburg, Florida. A funeral service will be officiated by Pastor Thomas on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial to follow with military honors at Memorial Park Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Elza?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elza?
Share a story where Elza's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elza you’ll never forget.
How did Elza make you smile?
