Melvin M. Pontius

Melvin M. Pontius, 85, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away after a long struggle with Amyloidosis, on Saturday, October 4, 2008.

He was born October 30, 1922 in Soquel, California to Marion M. and Alta Radmall Pontius. He graduated from Salmon High School, Salmon, Idaho.

Melvin served in World War II from July 1943 to January 1946.

On January 31, 1947, he married his eternal companion, Eleanor G. Ihle in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They were blessed with five sons.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in various callings. Together, Melvin and Eleanor served in the Pennsylvania Pittsburg Mission and many years in the Ogden LDS Temple.

Melvin is survived by his sons, Aaron (Jeannette), Clifton (Pam), Richard (Sherry), Merlin (Colleen) and Gary (Lynette), 19 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, two brothers, Karl (Marlene), David Eugene (Beverly) and two sisters, Veda (Earl) Stokes and Ruth (Gordon) Doxey.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor, a grandson, Scott Pontius and a great-granddaughter, Brittany Amidan, two brothers, Ervin E. and Robert V. Pontius, and a sister, Sara Pontius Parker.

The family expresses thanks to RC Springer and Vista Care Hospice for their special care of Melvin during his illness.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the Country View Ward Chapel, 4781 South 4875 West, West Haven.

A viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

E-mail condolences to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com