Obituary of Mayor Larry Ponder

Larry Warren Ponder, 69, lifelong resident of Doniphan, Missouri, died Thursday, November 8, 2012, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Mr. Ponder was born September 22, 1943, in Doniphan, Missouri, to the late Leonard F. and Hazel B. (Keel) Ponder. Mr. Ponder was the current Mayor of Doniphan and had held that position since being elected in 1981. He first served the city on the City Council. Mr. Ponder retired from the Doniphan R-1 School District after 30 years of teaching in the Doniphan High School. He was Ripley County Man of the year in 1980. Mayor Ponder was an assistant Doniphan High School football coach and had coached the Doniphan Summer Sports Program. For over 30 years Mr. Ponder was an official observer for the National Weather Service. He was a veteran in the U.S. Navy and had attended the Doniphan First Christian Church where he was a deacon. Mr. Ponder enjoyed fishing, hunting (especially deer season), and spending time at his cabin on Current River with his family. On June 9, 1963, he married Wanda Stewart at the First Christian Church in Doniphan. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Craig and wife, Pam Ponder, of Van Buren, Missouri, and Greg Ponder of Doniphan; and three grandchildren, Tristan, Ethan and Hannah. Mr. Ponder was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ramona Brown and Elaine Halcomb; and two brothers, Paul Ponder and Jerry Ponder. Visitation will be Sunday, November 11, 2012, from 5-8 PM at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. Funeral services will be Monday, November 12, 2012, at 10 A M at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan with Rev. John Harwell officiating. Burial will be in Doniphan City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Doniphan First Christian Church.