John Paul Ponish – Sergeant Major, United States Army

Sergeant Major John Paul Ponish(Ret.), 85, of Richmond, Virginia, formerly of Wheaton, Maryland, born August 12, 1922, passed away Friday, June 13, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents Anna Skorvaga Ponish and John Ponish; his brother, Joseph Ponish; and his sister, Mary Frank. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen Ballos Ponish; his son, John Stephen Ponish and his wife, Karen Kidd Ponish; his daughter, Doreene Ponish Iezzi and her husband, John Andrew Iezzi; six grandchildren, Kristin Ponish, Haden Ponish and Kaitlin Ponish of Wise, Virginia, and Johnny Iezzi, Lauren Iezzi and Allison Iezzi of Richmond, Virginia; his sisters, Anna Socash of Erie, Pennsylvania, and Emma Soupart of Smithmill, Pennsylvania; and many nieces and nephews.

He was raised in Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania, where he grew up during the Great Depression. He joined the Pennsylvania Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939 and then in January 1945 enlisted in the United States. Army. He participated in Worl War II with the 65th Division, 365th Medical Detachment, Company D. He remained on active duty in the U.S. Army for 27 years, participating in the Berlin Occupation and Korean War Far East Operation until retiring honorably as Sergeant Major of the Army in April 1970.

He worked in a civilian capacity as Chief Administrator for the D.C. Medical Examiners Office for 18 years until a well-earned retirement in 1988.

His work with the Wheaton Boys Club highlighted his community service as a volunteer, coach and mentor.

He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Funeral services will be held in the Fort Meyer Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2008. Interment Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in memory of John Paul Ponish to St. Andrew's Apostle Catholic Church, 11600 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902.

PONISH, JOHN PAUL

  • SGM   US ARMY
  • WORLD WAR II, KOREA
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 04/12/1922
  • DATE OF DEATH: 06/13/2008
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 8652
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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