Donald "'Don'" Lee Pontious

Donald Don Lee Pontious, 79 of Grand Island, died Thursday, October 29, 2015 at CHI Health, St. Francis, Grand Island.



Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 2, 2015 at the Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island, with the Rev. Tim Kilstrom officiating. Burial will be in Grand Island Cemetery, Grand Island. Visitation hours will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday, November 1, 2015 at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Salvation Army. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.



Donald L. Pontious was born July 2, 1936 in Loretto, Nebraska the son of George D. & Fern M. (Giersdorf) Pontious. He grew up and attended country schools near Albion and Palmer. In 1954 he moved to Grand Island.



He was united in marriage to Barbara M. Haddix, October 8, 1955 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Grand Island. The couple just celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. The couple hand built their home in Grand Island. He was employed at Wilson Concrete which built I-80 and later Case New Holland as a welder & assembler for 25 years, retiring in 1992.



He was a member of the Methodist church in Grand Island.



He enjoyed farming his property near Chapman. He was a Harley rider, hunter, fisherman and a all around gear head. He loved, teaching his grandsons everything he knew.



Those left to cherish his memory include his wife: Barbara Pontious of Grand Island, a daughter & son-in-law, Diane Lee & Mark Means of Grand Island, two grandsons, Justice Means & Sheldon Means both of Grand Island, sister & brother-in-law, Patty & Gary Jensen of Aurora, NE and brother-in-law, Don Marco of Grand Island, nieces & nephews, Jeff & Deb Jensen, Chris & Terry Jensen, Vanessa & Jim Green, Casey & Julie Jensen, Jennifer & Mike Hill, Jackie & Rob Smith, Sherry & Tim Marco.



He was preceded in death by his parents, George & Fern Pontious, son, Michael William Pontious, a granddaughter, Jesrael Mae Means, brother, George Pontious Jr. three sisters, Georgia Fern Pontious, Maxine Pontious and Norma Jean Marco.



Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com