Phillis Margaret Pontius

Mom was born on May 28, 1924, in Brookings South Dakota, to Earnest White and Corrine Petersen White. She was the youngest of three siblings, Virgil (Pete) White, Edyth Miller, Louis (Jack) White, all of whom preceded her in death.

At a young age Phillis moved with her family to Dubuque, Iowa, where she was schooled. Leaving Iowa for La Porte, Indiana, is where she met and married Alvin H. Pontius Jr. in 1945. After WWII, in 1946, together Al and Phillis opened their first grocery store in Michigan City, Indiana. What began as a neighborhood grocery store, Hoosier Foods, later became Al's Thrifty-Marts, which has now grown into Lakeshore Foods. In Michigan City, mother was a member of Eastern Star, Michigan City Service League and Pottawattomie Country Club.

In 1970 Phillis moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, along with her youngest daughter Cathy. There Mother began her second career as co-owner of two McDonalds Restaurants in Cedar Rapids and Marion Iowa. Among Mother's other interests were traveling, which she visited India, Russia, China and Europe, but always returned to her favorite destination Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. Phillis spent the last few years residing in Ft. Myers Beach, loving the beach sunsets and walking her beloved "Lily."

Phillis is survived by her loving children, Judith C. Pontius (Mrozinski) of Estero, Florida, Lynda S. Meeker (the late Warren Meeker) of Bonita Springs, Florida, Gil R. Pontius (wife Cindy) of Long Beach, Indiana, and Cathy J. Pontius (Rex Carey) of Ft. Myers, Florida; four grandchildren, J.J. Mrozinski (wife Stacey) of Estero, Florida, Alexis Pontius Buell (husband Miles), of Long Beach, Indiana, Maggie Fumo (husband David) of Toledo, Ohio, and Katie Pontius of Chicago, Illinois; three great-grandchildren, Morgan E. Mrozinski and Nikolos J. Mrozinski of Estero, Florida and Sloane Ivy Buell of Long Beach, Indiana; sisters-in-law Thelma Pataluch of La Porte, Indiana, Geneva White of Ft. Myers, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date in Dubuque, Iowa. Words cannot describe our sorrow, our love and respect for all that Mother gave us. She always considered her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren her greatest gifts. She is loved beyond words and will be dearly missed now and forever.

Memorial contributions, offered in Mother's honor, to a charity of your choice will be greatly appreciated.