Gary Wayne Ponder

Gary Wayne Ponder, age 79, of Austin, Indiana, the son of the late Cyrus Edward and Virginia Eluise (Whitaker) Ponder, was born on March 20, 1943 in Ewing, Illinois. After graduating from high school, he went on to attend the Lockyear Business College in Evansville, Indiana, and the University of Anchorage, Alaska Business College. On August 16, 1963, he was united in marriage to the former Martha Mae Chambliss in Evansville, and this union was blessed with four children: Dora, Richard, Tammy, and Nathan. He proudly served his country for twenty years in the United States Air Force. After retiring from the military, he worked as a Release and Parole Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Corrections at Henryville and Madison, Indiana.

He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Scottsburg, Indiana. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching the Dallas Cowboys Football team, and spending time with his family. More than anything, he enjoyed writing music and playing the guitar and keyboard. He was most known for his love of the famous Elvis Presley song, Teddy Bear. Mr. Ponder passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at the Baptist Health Floyd Hospital in New Albany, Indiana.

His life will be cherished by his wife of 59 years, Martha of Austin; his children: Dora Fisher (Mark) of Layton, Utah, Richard Ponder (Mary) of Austin, Tammy Riley of Scottsburg, and Nathan Ponder (Candace) of Newnan, Georgia; his grandchildren: Stacy, Wesley, Candace, Dallon, Eric, Tyler, Macenzy, Tiffany, Britt, Brooke, Maddison, Zoe, Macy, and Elin; his great grandchildren: Luke, Joselyn, Jayden, Oliver, Jackson, Eli, Isaac, Olivia, Arrow, Adrianna, and Bentley; his brother: Mark Edward Ponder of Aurora, Colorado; his sisters: Cindy Maria Key and Linda Elizabeth Samples; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends and family may visit from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at the Christensen Hoagland Funeral Home in Scottsburg. Private funeral services will be conducted at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois with burial to follow in Ewing Cemetery. The United States Air Force and American Legion Honor Guards will conduct military honors at the cemetery.

Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.christensenfamilyfuneral.com