H. Eugene Pontsler, 76, Rockford, died Sept. 15, 2006, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind., where he had been a patient two days.

He was born Nov. 27, 1929 in Mercer County to Charles William and Grace H. Sharp Pontsler. On Feb. 10, 1951, he married Vivian K. Heppeard, who preceded him in death Nov. 29, 1995.

Surviving are three sons, Gary (Kathy), Willshire; Rick, and Greg (Jamie), all of Rockford; a daughter, Linda, Celina; five brothers, Stanley (Marcella), Ohio City; Vernon (Shirley), Van Wert; Don (Ethel), Rockford; Lee (Londa), Van Wert and Glenn (Marcile), Buford, Ga. and a sister, Wanda Wenner, Ohio City.

He was a retired employee of Reineke-Mitchell, Inc., Celina, as an auto mechanic and had previously worked at Lloyd Motor Sales and Riley Chevrolet, both in Rockford, as a mechanic. He served in the US Army and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Glenn D. Eckhart Post No. 508 American Legion, Rockford.

Services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford. The Rev. Mark Rutledge will officiate and burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and Tuesday one hour prior to the time of services.

Military graveside services will be held by the Rockford American Legion.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association.