Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Mel Ponzi Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mel Ponzi
Scott Donaldson
February 9, 2016
Unfortunately I never met Mel in person but over the past year or so I feel I have gotten to know this TBDBITL Brother through our friendship on Facebook. I respected him very much and feel like we are kindred spirits. His passing will leave a void.
David Hall
February 8, 2016
Joe,
Dad forwarded this to me. So sorry for your loss. I'll always remember those nights in HS ripping through town in the Z's (Samurai and the Yellow beast). Working on the LeMans in the garage and all the good times sitting around and listening to your dad's stories. God bless brother.
Cheryl Davis
February 5, 2016
Betsy, so sorry to learn of your loss of your beloved Mel. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Wendal and Suzie Horlocker
February 4, 2016
Joe and family,
We are so sorry for your loss, and wish you fond and happy memories!
Steve & Heather Brown
February 3, 2016
Our deepest sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jamie Bero
February 2, 2016
I have very fond memories of Mel and the alumni band and Hyper Friday. Always a kind word and a smile! You will be missed! God Bless and O-H!
February 2, 2016
Offering my condolences and hoping that you find comfort in knowing that God is near to us when our hearts are broken.
RIP
Herb USMC
February 2, 2016
Herb USMC
February 2, 2016
Post 171
Herb USMC
February 2, 2016
OSU - TBDBITL 1952/54
Herb USMC
February 2, 2016
Herb USMC
February 2, 2016
7th.Army Symphony/Europe 1956/57
Herb USMC
February 2, 2016
West Point 1955/56
Herb USMC
February 2, 2016
Herb USMC
February 2, 2016
Herb Guyer-Sharfenaker USMC
February 2, 2016
God Bless and Thank YOU,Mel for your service in The U.S.Army RIP ........ And Semper Fi.
Hal Saffell
February 2, 2016
Dear Ponzi Family,
Mel and I met in the summer of 1950, as members of the All Ohio Boys Band at the Ohio State Fair. And then we were fellow musicians at Ohio State in the early 1950s. After that, we lost track of each other, until one day I was having lunch at Cockrells in Westerville, when s stranger approached me, and started recounting stories from my young years as a musician. It was Mel! Turns out we both iived in Westerville...and have enjoyed each other's company since our chance reunion.
May God give safe harbor to the soul of Mel Ponzi, a good man. And may God bring comfort and hope to those left behind.
Dave,Veronica & Ryan Ross
February 2, 2016
Mel , we will miss your dearly.
Tammy Hunt Jones
February 2, 2016
I was saddened to learn of your loss. My family spent lots of time with Mel, Cyndi & Joe when I was a teen. Joe and my little brother, Ron, played ball together. Mel always made us laugh and was so much fun to be around. Praying for God to comfort you.
Tammy "Hunt" Jones
Jim & Lynn Hackathorn
February 2, 2016
Offering heartfelt sympathy and prayers that God will comfort you during this difficult time.
Pete Boriin
February 2, 2016
With deepest sympathy to Betsy and the Ponzi family, we will miss Mel and his smile, his leadership, his musicianship, but most of all for his thoughtful kind consideration for all of us associated with the OSU band family. He touched many of us and we all were better for knowing Mel. Going back even before Osaka, Japan in 1993 there are many great memories of Mel and bandmembers including when we were waiting for the Midosuji parade to begin and Mel was part of a Japanese TV game show taping where they compared breath power of players of a sousaphone and a few other instruments (balloon inflation) - he showed us that being in the alumni band is timeless. I sat a few chairs away from him in the SVB&PC in the 1990s too and his leadership in that group laid the foundation for another great brass band. Mel and Betsy always had our back - I will always remember him in parades with us, even if his health wouldn't allow for him to march, he would organize a support vehicle to follow behind the band in case someone needed something - or to get a ride back to the beginning of the route (2015 - I'm glad Mel had an air conditioned van at the end of the July 4th parade and I got to ride with him and Betsy). RIP Mel.
February 2, 2016
We are very sorry about the passing of Mel.
Ed and EllenCaster. West Point Alumni of the Marching Band.1959 to 1961 .Rochester N.Y.
Scott Donaldson
February 2, 2016
WB Brother!
Michael Yavornitzky
February 2, 2016
Deeply sorry for your loss to Betsy and his family. A couple of years go on Hyper Friday, the alumni band was taking a dinner break. Mel and I sat on one of the busses the whole time and just talked music and "band" (couple hours). I am honored he called me "My ole friend" that day, just as I consider him mine! Now go Dot that "I" in the Sky Mel....!
February 1, 2016
Mel was a friend to all, sorry for your loss Helmut and sue nestler
Lori Sutton
February 1, 2016
Mel was a man of integrity and will be missed. He faithfully showed his Buckeye pride and spirit. I'm sure he is organizing a band in Heaven right now!
Rose Angelica
February 1, 2016
We will miss Mel and all the fun we had together on Alumni Band trips, cruises, tailgating with his famous chili, and all the laughs we had the past 40 years! He was a great musician, man and friend. My old High School Band ICHS that I used to direct is playing his sousaphone! Whenever I see the band I will think of Mel! May God Bless his family, May he RIP. With our deepest sympathy and Love; Rose & Rich Angelica
Sue Leistner Michelson
February 1, 2016
Betsy, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Jack Swinehart
February 1, 2016
I am so sorry. I did not know Mel was ill. I enjoyed reading his posts and communicating on Facebook. I was Drum Major in 1968 and remembered Mel from the Alumni Band. He will be missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.
Chris Hoch
February 1, 2016
Mel was a great friend to The Ohio State University Marching Band. Words cannot express how grateful we all are for what he did for the band, the alumni, and all who had the privilege to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family because he meant so much to the entire TBDBITL family.
Rest in peace, Mel
Ann & Bob Quinn
February 1, 2016
Mel, a friend to all who had the privilege of knowing him, will be remembered by all. Our thoughts and prayers for Betsy and all Mel's family.
February 1, 2016
I am shocked that Mel is gone. We were friends for forty years,including many hours together in TBDBITL. Mel in my mind was one of those people who would "always be there". It is a long time ago that we would meet at Beavers Donut Shop and have coffee! I wish God's blessings upon Betsy and the family.
RIP,Mel.
Jim Patterson-A Row
Joe Koehne
February 1, 2016
Prayers for the Ponzi family. Mel will be missed in the sousaphone section at the TBDBITL Alumni Reunion. Rest in Peace, Mel. WB!
James Bauchert
February 1, 2016
Mel, a great, true, and loyal friend. You leave a legacy and a goal to strive to imitate. Thank you for the blessing of friendship.
John Mercurio
February 1, 2016
My deepest sympathies are extended to Betsy and to the Ponzi family.
I was honored to know Mel, to call him a friend and to work with him over the past 20+ years on behalf of TBDBITL.
Mel's unwavering commitment to the OSU band and the joy he helped bring to thousands of Buckeye fans at Alumni performances over the years is a noble legacy; His defense of the honor, tradition and reputation of TBDBITL, particularly in recent years, is something every TBDBITL alumni should be thankful for. Mel was a do-er, a go-getter and truly understood what "Paying Forward" meant.
His support for Dr. Jon Waters, to me, exemplified what Mel stood for as a man. He was not afraid to speak up and act when truth was trumped by politics.
Rest in Peace friend.
WB.
Mario
Mia Shea-Torres
January 31, 2016
Prayers to the Ponzi family, Mel will be greatly missed.
Fanny Lou Pike
January 31, 2016
He will be missed, good friend, Father Tim
Showing 1 - 37 of 37 results
Make a Donation
in Mel Ponzi's name
Memorial Events
for Mel Ponzi
Funeral services provided by:
Moreland Funeral Home - Westerville55 E. Schrock Road, Westerville, OH 43081
How to support Mel's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Mel Ponzi's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
