John R. Ponziano of Lansing, Ill. passed away Tuesday March 1, 2011. He was 84.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mildred; five children, Terry (husband Mike) Medley of Chesterton, John A. Ponziano, Linda L. (Gary) Bradford, Laura (Don) Collins, and Thomas Ponziano; nine grandchildren Chris Peters and Curtis Peters of Chesterton, Nicole, Dean, Matthew, Devin, TJ, Kara, and Frankie; great-grandson Christian; brothers Tom and James (Rochelle) Ponziano; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by sisters Rose (Charles) Horn and Jenny Glavin and brother Frank (Viola) Ponziano.

John served his country in the Army during WWII and was a lifetime member of the VFW post 7660 and Knights of Columbus Post 3540 3rd degree. For 39 years, he was an active member at St. Ann Church in Lansing, serving as an usher and in the St. Ann Men’s Club. He retired from U.S. Steel Southworks after 35 years service. In his free time John had a passion for gardening and enjoyed serving in the “Over the Hill Gang” Maintenance Group at the Knights of Columbus.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, March 4 at 11:30 a.m. directly at St. Ann Church, 3010 Ridge Road, Lansing, Ill. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Calumet City. Friends are invited to visit with the family Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to Supporters of the Military, www.supportersofmilitary.com

 or to Hospice of the Calumet Area, 600 Superior Ave., Munster, IN 46321. www.schroederlauer.com

Posted 3/3/2011