Pontius

Robert R. Pontius, 89, passed away Monday at his home in New Brighton, Pa.

He was born on March 30, 1924, in Akron, Ohio, to William and Rita (Stewart) Pontius.

Bob grew up in Chicora, graduating from Karns City High School in 1943.

Immediately after high school he joined the U.S. Army serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Assigned to the 506th Medical Collection Company in support of the 158th Regimental Combat Team, he participated in the New Guinea, Philippine Liberation and Luzon Campaigns and was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Medic's Badge. He was discharged in 1946, achieving the rank of Technician Fifth Grade (E-5).

Using his G.I. Bill benefits, Bob received his certification in farm management in 1949, and accepted employment as the manager of the E.H. Wimmer Farm in Zelienople, where he worked for 28 years. Afterward Bob went to work as an electrician, first at Halstead Mitchell in Zelienople, then at Weyerhauser Corporation in Harmony and finally at Babcock & Wilcox Steel in Ambridge, Pa. When the mill closed in 1980, he went to work as a maintenance technician for the Seneca Valley School District in Harmony, where he retired in 1988.

In 1952, Bob married Billie Eve Corbin of Portersville at the Grace Church of Harmony, where they have been members for their 61 years of married life.

Bob is survived by his wife, Billie Eve; his sons retired Col. Ronald Pontius (Chae-Im) of Lorton, Va., and retired Lt. Col. Richard Pontius (Sharon) of Charlottesville, Va.; his daughters, LaVonne Fitts (Jim) of Zelienople and Diane Hasenflu (Chris) of Rochester, Pa.; his brother, Delbert Byers of Beaver Falls, and his seven grandchildren, Matt, Heather, and Lauren Pontius, Rob, Sarah and Suzanne Hasenflu, and Riley Fitts.

Pontius — Following cremation, a memorial service for Robert R. Pontius, who passed away Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, will be at the Grace Church of Harmony, 538 Main St., Harmony, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. The family will be greeting friends and relatives at a reception in the basement of the church immediately following the service. Burial will occur at the Grace Church Cemetery later.The funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Boylan Funeral Home, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.Condolences for the family may be shared on the Boylan Funeral Home website at www.boylanfuneralhome.com.