Peter Raymond Ponton

Peter Raymond Ponton, 91, of Chicago, Illinois (and former resident of Marion for 42 years) passed away on Monday, January 5, 2015. Ray was born on January 25, 1923 in Danville, Virginia.  He was the son of Peter Raymond Ponton, Sr. and Hazel Marie (nee Williams) Ponton.  He married the love of his life, Melva Florence (nee Baughman) on August 28, 1949 in Champaign, Illinois, and together they shared over 40 years of love and marriage until her death on December 31, 1989. Ray was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Marion, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in France and Germany in the European Theater from 1943 to 1946.  He worked as a social worker for the State of Illinois, Department of Mental Health for 26 years, as well as a Prudential Insurance Agent in Champaign, Illinois.  He is survived by his children: Melvin Ray Ponton, Phyllis Shepherd (Jacob) and Ruth Ann Ponton (Peter); and his grandchildren: Emily Ann Flores and James Shepherd.  Ray’s daughter, Dr. Nancy Marie Shoup, predeceased him and his sister, Ida Hudgins. The family wishes to extend its sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to Marilyn Juvers and the staff at Sunrise Assisted Living of Lincoln Park for their outstanding love, attention and care to Ray.  Visitation hours will be from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois.  Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff VanDyke officiating. Military rites will be presented by members of the Marion Post #1301 VFW, American Legion Post #147 and National Guard Flag Detail Unit.   The final resting place is at Grove City Cemetery in Mt. Auburn, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted by the First United Methodist Church in Marion, Illinois.