Martha Jean Pontius

Martha J. Pontius, age 94, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on January 4th, 2018. Martha was born on June 13th, 1923 to her parents Brice and Wanda “Oglesbee” Young in the Mount Sterling area of Ohio. She married the love of her life James W. Pontius on June 13th, 1943 and they shared their lives together until his passing in 1978. Family was most important in Martha’s life; whether it was spending time with her grandchildren or being a devoted and loving mother. Martha loved to travel, Gatlinburg being one of her favorite places, and she loved to play cards and enjoyed Bingo.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents; her husband James W. Pontius; her infant son Terry and grandchild Keith; her brothers Ralph, Chuck, and Robert; as well as her sisters Mary Welsh, Maxine Hoover and Joann Weller.

Left to mourn her passing is her daughter Diana (Roger) Clarke; her son Larry (Joanne) Pontius; her grandchildren Kevin Clarke, Kim (Kenny) Speakman, Chris (Crystal) Clarke, Timothy (Jennifer) Pontius and Barry Pontius; her great grandchildren Justin (Tara) Clarke, Kara (Chad) Ebert, Kendal (Levi) Ellerman, Rachel Pontius and Alexandria Pontius; her great-great grandchildren Koen, Collin and Connor Clarke, Levi Jr., Lylah Ellerman and Kylee Ebert; her step great-great grandchildren Heath and Hunter Ebert; her brother Jack (Mary) Young; her sisters-in-law Carolyn young and Helen Pontius; her brother-in-law Bob (Pat) Pontius; as well as many nieces and nephews. Martha’s family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Brown Memorial Home as well as Heartland Hospice for the excellent care they provided.

Visitation will be held at Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home, located at 151 East main Street, Circleville on Sunday, January 7th from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm. Martha’s funeral service will be held on January 8th at 11am at the funeral home with Dr. Doyne Wiggins officiating. Burial will follow at Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery.