Niles Pontious

Niles Vincent Pontious was born January 15, 1953 of the union of Aubrey Vincent Pontious and Ruth Barbara Ehrat.
He was the fourth child of their 11 children. He is preceded in death by parents Aubrey and Ruth Pontious.
Niles was born in Vandalia, Illinois, but home was on the farm in Loogootee, IL for his first 4 ½ years. As a child, he and his brother Brice, born on the same day two years later, always had a shared birthday and were together most of the time -- usually up to no good. Adventures got crazy at the farm and at grandma's house. They cared for the big white turkeys, watching the older siblings tormenting the bull, butchering chickens, and catching baby skunks. Niles fished all the time. Wherever there was water, he fished. After the family moved to Salem, IL, the park held great adventure with access to the merry-go-round, and spinning till someone threw up or fell off. There were diving board races at the pool, and when it snowed, the goal on their sled was to get from home, over the humps, the street, and down into the park to make it to the creek slew. Kick the can, flashlight tag and wiffleball kept them busy as well.
Niles was an outstanding athlete from grade school to high school. He also made his mark on the baseball and basketball teams. In 8th grade he helped the Salem basketball team make 3rd in the state. He was president of the National Honor Society. He and his closest buddies were also members of the "car club" at Salem High School called the Chantiques. He worked one summer at Bitzer Dodge in Salem, where he did car detailing, general shop jobs, and was able to drive some very nice cars when he would pick up and take cars to customers for service.
After graduating from high school in 1971, Niles went to college at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Recreation in the College of Education. He minored in child psychology.
He then went on to work at Castle Oak Country Club in St. Louis as assistant manager. He eventually held managerial jobs with Burger Chef, Hardees Food Systems, S&M Food Systems, Medicine Shoppe International, and eventually Papa Johns. During his 15 years at Papa Johns, he was Director of Operations over seven local area stores for four years and then promoted to Vice President of Non-Traditional Markets. He held that position for 11 years. He traveled extensively across the U.S. and Canada until he retired in October 2017, when he was thrown a surprise party with his closest friends and family.
Niles married Michele Simms and in 1983, they welcomed the birth of their beloved son Bryan. Bryan recalls there were so many memories from childhood into adulthood but the ones that stand out most are the Thursday night softball games followed by chicken wings at what was once Calicos. Eventually Niles and Bryan went out every single week for years to Dave and Busters for pool, then went to Satchmo's for nachos and chicken wings to watch a St. Louis Blues game. They went on countless fishing outings and it was always a competition as to who would catch the biggest of the day – with Bryan winning, of course! It was a dream of theirs for the Blues to bring the Stanley Cup to St Louis, and in 2019, that dream came true. Niles never thought in his lifetime it would happen. A photo with the cup and Alex Pietrangelo (then captain) was a very proud moment.
Niles and Jan met in November 2001 and married on August 29, 2002. They made their home in St. Peters where they enjoyed scoping out various wineries and breweries. They had their favorite microbrews in St. Charles County where they knew Niles by name; same goes for microbrews in Jefferson City and at Lake of the Ozarks. A true wine and craft beer aficionado,
he enjoyed weekend winery trips with close friends Mike and Patty Kelly and Brian and Jill Oakley, as well as just hanging out with them.
Niles and Jan also spent a lot of time enjoying their condo and boat at Lake of the Ozarks, which was his happy place. Many friendships were made at the lake, and many stories told at the pool. The lake is where Niles could enjoy his great passion – fishing. Fishing on all the docks, at all hours of the day and night, he knew where to catch which type of fish. He knew every boat in the cove by sight and sound. The biggest bass he caught was 7.5 pounds.
A huge sports enthusiast, Niles loved playing golf and going on his annual golf trips with the guys. He even got a hole in one on a trip with them on October 1, 2016. What a special moment! He was a good golf instructor as well; he fixed many a golf swing. He could tell you what you were doing wrong right off the bat.
He also enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals games and picking brackets for March Madness. Rooting for your teams was a must for both Niles and Jan.
Being outside on a sunny day, hot or cool, was a daily pastime to enjoy with Jan. He lived on the deck at home and on the covered porch at the condo. This is where his interest in nature ranged from watching for eagles at home and at the lake, feeding his cardinals and putting out hummingbird feeders, scoping for butterflies and bluebirds at home, making sure the rose bush came back every year and planting flower seeds to enjoy in the summer. He took meticulous care of the yard as well.
His true joy was the cherished time he spent spoiling and being silly with his precious grandchildren: Mason (10); Leah (3); and Joseph (Joey) (eight months). He was born to be a "Pawpaw" as Leah affectionally named him. He would make Leah laugh so hard when she wanted him to pick her up high over the bed and drop her, saying "again, again!" And running down the "tunnel" (hall) to be chased by a scary dinosaur. Playing hide and seek, to always be found in the same place. "Come! Come!" she would say to him. Watching him play with Leah that way just made our hearts so full.
His eyes lit up when he would see Joey. He would always say you are getting so big, and Joey would give him that big grin. Mason always gave Niles a big smile when he saw him. Niles was always trying to coax him out to play.
Family and friends will remember Niles as a kind, reliable and dedicated to others. Caring, strong, and strong-willed, sometimes stubborn! But he was also sensitive, smart, honest, and loyal. Niles was entertaining, sometime captivating and often sought other people's opinions; a great conversationalist and so fun to be around. Niles was an antagonist and prankster at its best, and a best friend to many. He was the most caring and adoring husband ever.
Niles is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Janice Curran Pontious (St Peters, MO), Bryan & Rachel Pontious, (St Peters, MO) son and daughter-in law, grandson Mason; Bryan and Lauren Curran (St Louis, MO), son and daughter-in law, granddaughter Leah and grandson Joseph.
His siblings:
Ulonda Becker (John) Breeze IL
Brad Pontious Vanburen, MO
Adrea Pontious (Jack) Norris City, IL
Brice Pontious (Eva) Zeigler, IL
Valeda Van Netta (Randy) Nashville, IL
Ilesa Brough (Tom) Salem IL
Tanna Jenne (Jon) Effingham, IL
Neena Porter (Troy) Collinsville, IL
Kevin Pontious (Lisa) Beckemeyer, IL
Darrin Pontious (Ai-Ling) Mason, OH
Many nieces and nephews, and was a great, great, great uncle.
Also very special life-long friends Tom and Debi Champion Salem, IL.
Memorial contributions to honor Niles can be made to:
· The Autism Society of America --https://www.autismsociety.org
· Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation-mochf.org
A celebration of life will be held for close friends and family in the future.
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