Phillis Pontius

PHILLIS MARGARET PONTIUS

Bonita Springs, Fla.

The Pontius family sadly announces the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and sister-in-law, Phillis M. Pontius, on Jan. 28, 2017, in Bonita Springs, Fla.

Mom was born May 28, 1924, in Brookings, S.D., to Earnest White and Corrine Petersen White. She was the youngest of three siblings, Virgil (Pete) White, Edyth Miller and Louis (Jack) White, all of whom preceded her in death. At a young age, Phillis moved with her family to Dubuque, Iowa, where she was schooled. She left Iowa for LaPorte, Ind., where she met and married Alvin H. Pontius Jr. in 1945. After World War II, in 1946, Al and Phillis together opened their first grocery store in Michigan City, Ind. What began as a neighborhood grocery store, Hoosier Foods later became Al's Thrifty-Marts and has now grown into Lakeshore Foods. In Michigan City, mother was a member of Eastern Star, Michigan City Service League and Pottawattomie Country Club.

In 1970, Phillis moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, along with her youngest daughter, Cathy. There Mother began her second career as co-owner of two McDonald's restaurants in Cedar Rapids and Marion, Iowa.

Among Mother's other interests were traveling she visited India, Russia, China and Europe but always returned to her favorite destination of Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Phillis spent the last few years residing in Fort Myers Beach, loving the beach sunsets and walking her beloved Lily.

Phillis is survived by her loving children, Judith C. Pontius (Mrozinski) of Estero, Fla., Lynda S. Meeker (the late Warren Meeker) of Bonita Springs, Gil R. Pontius (wife Cindy) of Long Beach, Ind., and Cathy J. Pontius (Rex Carey) of Fort Myers, Fla.; four grandchildren, J.J. Mrozinski (wife Stacey) of Estero, Alexis Pontius Buell (husband Miles) of Long Beach, Maggie Fumo (husband David) of Toledo, Ohio, and Katie Pontius of Chicago; three great-grandchildren, Morgan E. Mrozinski and Nikolos J. Mrozinski of Estero and Sloane Ivy Buell of Long Beach; two sisters-in-law, Thelma Pataluch of LaPorte, Ind., and Geneva White of Fort Myers; and several nieces and nephews.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date in Dubuque.

Words cannot describe our sorrow, our love and respect for all that Mother gave us. She always considered her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren her greatest gifts. She is loved beyond words and will be dearly missed now and forever.

Memorial contributions, offered in Mother's honor, to a charity of your choice will be greatly appreciated.

Online condolences may be offered at www.shikanyfuneralhome.com.