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Cotter Funeral Home

224 E Washington St.

Momence, Illinois

Michael Pontow Obituary

Michael J. Pontow, 62, of Momence, IL, died on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL.

He was born on June 8, 1962, in Momence, IL, the son of James A. Pontow and Catherine Giasson.

He married Kelly Schuler on Friday, November 13, 1981 in Kankakee, IL. She survives.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly Pontow of Momence, IL; his two daughters and sons-in-law, Athena and Adam Gibaszek of Somerset, KY, and Brenda and Al Lopez of Bourbonnais, IL; his brother, Mitch Pontow and Steve Isley of Kankakee, IL; his sister, Rebecca and David Bishop of Indiana; and his foster brother, Chuck and Brenda Nowak of Tennessee; and his four grandchildren, Constance Graham, Michael Lopez, A.J. Gibaszek and Elizabeth Gibaszek.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Michael worked and was retired as an industrial maintenance technician.

He graduated in 2002 from Kankakee Community College with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science - Industrial Machinery Maintenance. During college, he was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Society.

He served in the United States Air Force, and served in Desert Shield/Storm.

He was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Momence, IL, and a Master Mason.

He enjoyed woodworking and watching TV, especially sci-fi and old Westerns. He collected guns and loved shooting them.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Cotter Funeral Home in Momence, IL. A masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. during the visitation. In honor of Michael, please dress casually and wear blue as this was his favorite color.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Momence, IL. In honor of Michael, please dress casually and wear blue as this was his favorite color. The Rev. Peter Jankwoski will officiate.

Interment will be at the St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Momence, IL. The Momence Honor Guard will provide military rites following the committal services.

Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family.

Please sign his guestbook at www.cotterfh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Journal on May 15, 2025.

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Memorial Events
for Michael Pontow

May

20

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Cotter Funeral Home

224 E. Washington St., Momence, IL 60954

May

21

Funeral Mass

11:00 a.m.

St. Patrick Catholic Church

119 N. Market St., Momence, IL 60954

Funeral services provided by:

Cotter Funeral Home

224 E Washington St., Momence, IL 60954

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