Thomas Ponder

Thomas F. Ponder, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born Dec. 17, 1913, in Perry County, Mo., son of the late Charles and Victoria Julie Winkler Ponder. He and Ruth Bock were married Oct. 25, 1947, in Sikeston, Mo.

Mr. Ponder was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army from July 2, 1941, to Jan. 9, 1946, during World War II.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau and its Men's Club, was a Sunday school worker for many years, member of VFW Post 3838, and was a volunteer at Cape Girardeau Senior Center.

Mr. Ponder was a mechanic at Lang's Garage in Old Appleton, Mo., and worked at Kohlfeld Distributing many, many years.

Loving survivors include his wife, Ruth Bock Ponder of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Karen Hoffman and husband Ken, Judy Day and husband Kevin, all of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Bernetta Henderson and husband Earl of St. Ann, Mo.; five grandchildren, Lori Schoenberger and husband Mike of Cheyenne, Wyo., Jeremy Hohler and wife, Michelle of Jackson, Angie Hoffman, Kenny Hoffman II and Sarah Hoffman, all of Cape Girardeau; four great-grandchildren, Houston Schoenberger, Kaleigh Schoenberger, Preston Schoenberger, all of Cheyenne, and Abigail Hohler of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.

The funeral will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau Saturday at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Douglas C. Breite officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Saxony Lutheran High School, 2004 Saxony Drive, Jackson, Mo., 63755.