Leroy Ponton

Leroy J. Ponton, age 87, of Peotone, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Momence Meadows Nursing Center in Momence.

He was born on November 1, 1934 in Momence, the son of Armand and Susie (Camus) Ponton.  He married Rosemarie (Gerhardt) Ponton on March 26, 1959 in Stuttgart, Germany.  He was a United States Army Veteran serving at 7th Army headquarters working for the Secret Service.  Leroy worked as a structural engineer draftsman for Bennett Industries in Peotone for 25 years where he was responsible for creating the blueprints of the structural steel for the bridges on I-57 and at O’Hare International Airport.  He then worked for 31 years at Lockport Steel Fabrications in Lockport.  He was an active member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Peotone and a member of the Will County Threshermen’s Association.  He was an avid fisherman and gardener.  He was a talented woodworker creating beautiful furniture and lathe turnings using black walnut as his favorite material.  Leroy loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Rosemarie (Gerhardt) Ponton of Peotone; his children, Cindy (Mike) Oliver of Peotone, Dr. Stephen (Paulette) Ponton of West Frankfort, and Ron (Tammie) Ponton of Bradley; his grandchildren, Brittany (Quinn) Pedigo, Renee (Kevin) Shaide, Ashley (Mike) Lynch, and Jared Ponton; his great-grandchildren, Linnea and Elise Pedigo, Oliver Shaide, and Owen Lynch; his sisters, Arlene (the late Mike) Krabbe, Nancy (the late Norman) Krabbe, and Mary (the late Robert) McCulley; and a sister-in-law, Betty Ponton.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and 2 brothers, Larry (Carol) Ponton and Elmer Ponton.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Peotone, Father John Regan officiating.    Committal services and military honors will follow at Peotone Cemetery.  Memorials in his name may be directed to Uplifted Care Hospice or Wounded Warriors Project. Sign the guestbook at www.feddehelfrichcrossfh.com