James Howard "Too Tall" Pontius, 81, Van Wert, died at 12:01 p.m. May 9, 2012, at Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert.

He was born July 3, 1930, in Jackson, Mich., to William and Dorothy Scott Pontius. His wife, Jean Goodwin, survives.

Also surviving are three children, Ginger (Brent) Heyneman, Strongsville, James E. (Shelley) Pontius, Dublin, and Tamre (Michael) Hileman, Rockford; a brother, William Pontius, Celina; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Goodwin, Van Wert; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He retired from the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services, Lima, and had co-owned and operated Pontius Hardware, Rockford. He was a member of the former Rockford Presbyterian Church. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he achieved the rank of corporal. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Elks Lodge, all of Van Wert, the Van Wert Shrine Club, Rockford Eagles and a 60-year member of Shanes Lodge Free & Accepted Masons, Rockford.

Services are 1 p.m. Monday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, the Rev. Paul Miller officiating. Burial is at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Calling is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

Condolences may be left at www.alspachgearhart.com.