Obituary of Michael Ponder

Michael W. Ponder Graveside services for Michael William Ponder of Elsberry, MO were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at New Hope Cemetery near Elsberry. Rev. Raymond Doussard, chaplain for AmHeart Hospice, officiated. Mr. Ponder, 54, died Sunday evening, July 27, 2003 at his home near Elsberry. Born December 4, 1948 in St. Louis, MO, he was the son of the late Jack Hubert and Antoinette Lena Zucchero Ponder. He attended Assumption Grade School and Fort Zumwalt High School in O'Fallon, MO. He was united in marriage on July 16, 1969 at New Hope Church near Elsberry to Cathy Anderson. This union was blessed with one son, Mathew Gene Ponder. Mr. Ponder was inducted in the U.S. Army on October 27, 1970 and was honorably discharged on March 12, 1971. He was employed for 18 years in the Esco Division of Emerson Electric in St. Louis. Survivors include one son, Mathew Gene Ponder and his wife, Crystal, of Troy, MO; and one sister, Josephine Purler and her husband, Michael, of Wentzville, MO. He also leaves a special aunt, Lois Ponder of Elsberry; his uncle, Don Betts and his wife, Josephine, of Moscow Mills, MO; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family appreciates the special care given to Mike by his friends, Sharon Bufford, Sheri Marsh and Randy Ross, all of Elsberry. A brief visitation was held at New Hope Baptist Church near Elsberry prior to the graveside service Tuesday morning. Memorials may be made to the AmHeart Hospice in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.