Surnames: Ponick, Szymanski, Graham, Lauer, Witt, Jakubowicz, Kiraly, Kotlarz, Glander, Potaczek, Isadore, Lingen, Welch

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) October 22, 2008

Ponick, Benjamin "Ben" (4 May 1922 - 19 October 2008)

Benjamin "Ben" Ponick, 86, formerly of Stanley, passed away October 19th at the Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls. Ben was born May 4, 1922 in Stanley to the late Charles and Lucy (Szymanski) Ponick. He learned Polish at an early age from his father and still could speak it fluently.

Ben and Maizie Graham were married on September 18, 1943 at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Stanley. They farmed in the Town of Delmar until 1979, in which time he also operated Ponick Livestock and Trucking until he retired in June of 2006. Since June of 2008 he has resided at the Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls.

He is survived by three sons: Reinhold "Reiny" (Dorothy) of Jim Falls, Dennis "Scott" (Dawn Lauer) of Chippewa Falls, and Dan of Boyd; four daughters, Marilyn "Bunny" (Duane) Witt of Stanley, Pat Jakubowicz, Chippewa Falls, Joan (Ronald "Pete") Kiraly of Oshkosh, and Shirley of Altoona; a daughter-in-law, Judy Ponick of Stanley; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Marge Kotlarz and Genevieve Glander.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maizie; son, Ronald "Buck" Ponick; grandson, Jim Ponick; son-in-law, Rich Jakubowicz; three brothers: Tony, Bob and Frank; and three sisters: Helen Potaczek, Rose Isadore, and Elizabeth Lingen.

There will be a funeral service at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at the Plombon Funeral Home. Pastor Dan Welch will officiate. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until time of service Thursday at the funeral home.