Greenwood
Dennis Dale Ponsler, 69, of Greenwood, passed away at 6:36 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2017, at Kindred Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on Nov. 19, 1947, in Greensburg, the son of Claude Ponsler Jr. and Thelma Edell (Shepherd) Ponsler Gividen. He lived most of his life in the Westport area and moved to Greenwood in 2003.
He graduated from Jackson Township High School in 1966, where he played the National Anthem at all sporting events while in high school. He served in the U.S. Army and Indiana National Guard. His grandmother, Leona Ponsler, sent him his trumpet while he was in basic training for him to have and play.
He retired from Cummins Inc. in 2001, after 30 years of service. He was a member of the Letts Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Waynesburg Christian Church where he served as an elder and was currently a member of Mt. Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood. He was active in 4-H and Boy Scouts, and he was a girls softball coach for years. He enjoyed sports, especially the Colts, Pacers and Cincinnati Reds. He also enjoyed golfing and men’s softball.
He married Ruth Ann Minks on Oct. 2, 1971, at Sardinia Baptist Church and she survives. Other survivors include daughter, Felicity (Steven) Watson of Seymour; foreign-exchange daughter, Renate (Nico) Wienholt of Monchengladbach, Germany; brother, Darrell Eugene Ponsler Sr. of Pierceton; and grandchildren, Elias Ponsler and Judaeh Watson, both of Seymour.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Gerry Gividen; and son, Aaron Dale Ponsler.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at Bass & Gasper Funeral Home in Westport with the Rev. David Burnett and Mr. Larry Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at the Westport Cemetery with military graveside rites. The family will receive visitors from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 10, 2017, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Riley Children’s Hospital, Letts Volunteer Fire Department or Mt. Pleasant Christian Church Bible Bowl.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.bassgasper.com.
