Tony Phene Ponter

Military graveside service for Tony Phene Ponter of Vinemont will be Friday, Sept. 23, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Key Family Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Ponter died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2005, at age 85. He was a lifelong resident of Morgan and Cullman Counties. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Olva Stinson Ponter on Aug. 10, 2005; his parents, Emanuel and Carrie Allison Ponter; and two brothers, James Emanuel Ponter and John Hubbard Ponter.
Mr. Ponter was a World War II veteran serving in the Army 9th Infantry Division from February 1943 until he was honorably discharged in September 1945. His entire enlistment was spent in the European Theater. He arrived in Europe on his 23rd birthday, July 15, 1943, and was involved in the North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Rhineland Ardennes-Battle of the Bulge, Central Europe and Northern France Campaigns. He was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, European-African Medal, Eastern Service Medal with one Silver Star, one Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was wounded on March 1, 1945, in Germany. He loved his country and for more than 60 years talked about his wartime experiences with great pride.
He was a retired employee of the Army Civilian Corps in Huntsville.
He is survived by one son, Tony Randall Ponter and his wife, Corley, of Meadville, Pa.; seven grandchildren, Chad, China Mai-Yang, Maria, Lei Ling Qiu, Reyna, Isleta and Esperanza; one sister, Vista Setters and her husband, Raymond, of White Creek, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family is deeply grateful to Arvel and Charlene Allison and Jane Moses for their devotion and care of him during his illness.