GEORGE W. POND

GEORGE W. POND, 94, went to be with his Heavenly Father Sunday, July 31, 2022, at 12:04 a.m. at Heritage Pointe of Warren, with his family by his side. He was born at home in Warren, Ind. on Nov. 4, 1927, to the late Ira and Bertha (Carnes) Pond. He was born at home at the corner of Jefferson and College, mowed lawns for 30 cents with a push mower, worked at a tomato and juice canning company, and in high school a potato dehydrating company during the war. In school, he liked history but not math, played the trumpet, competed with the "Warren Lightning 5" basketball team, and graduated from Warren High School with a class of 21 students in May of 1945. Shortly after graduation at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Maritime Services Merchant Marines, serving as a yeoman on the USAT Edmond B. Alexander departing from Pier 84 in New York traveling to LeHarve, France. After five transatlantic voyages and attaining the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and trained in Field Artillery on the 105 mm Howitzer, eventually becoming a member of the training cadre. Following an Honorable Discharge in 1948, he attended Indiana College of Mortuary Science. With assistance of the Gi Bill, in 1950, he enrolled in Ball State majoring in speech, dramatics and speech and hearing therapy. Taking an ambitious overload of courses, he was able to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in just two years in 1952. In September of that year, he began his teaching career in Rushville, Ind. In 1954, he became a Master Mason in Rushville Phoenix Lodge 62. He taught speech and hearing therapy until 1957 when he moved to Plymouth, Ind. He received his master's degree from Indiana University in 1962 with additional courses from Purdue University in Counseling and Guidance, at which time he moved to New Haven, Ind. to take a position at Woodlan High School. His teaching career spanned 38 years, retiring from Woodlan High School in 1989. He earned his private pilot certificate in the '70s flying Cessna and Piper aircraft with the Back 40 Flying Club. He was past president of the East Allen County Education Association and the Woodlan Lion's club. He had been a member of the New Haven Masonic Lodge, New Haven Navy Club and the American Legion. He married Phyllis Joan Ruble on June 16, 1951 at the Warren Church of Christ, and at the time of her death, they had been married 62 years. He is survived by children, Dr. William (Camillie) Pond of Fort Wayne, Douglas Pond of Indianapolis, and Jean Pond Grasmick of Warren; grandchildren, Dr. Greg (Amy) Pond of Fort Wayne, Scott Pond of New Haven, Jennifer (Jon-Jon) Knepp of Fishers, and Joel Aiken of Indianapolis; great-grandchildren, Beatrice, Walker, Eleanor, and Holden Knepp; and great-great-grandson, Leo Pond. He was also preceded in death his sisters, Pauline (Ralph) Blair and Lois (Jess) Langston; and brother, Robert Pond. Funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday at Harper's Community Funeral Home, 740 St. Rd. 930 E., New Haven, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Warren with military honors. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to Church of Christ, Warren. For online condolences visit www.harperfuneralhome.com