Benjamin R. Ponczek

Benjamin R. Ponczek, 78, of Union Dale, died Saturday evening at Wilkes Barre General due to COVID-19. His wife is Sally Rue Ponczek of Union Dale.

He is survived by two daughters, Michelle Ponczek and husband Robert Miller, Pleasant Mount and Katrina Shea and husband Jon, Union Dale; three grandchildren Doria and Julien Miller and Benjamin Shea; two sisters, Nancy Schiavone and husband Carrol, NJ and Susan Maruska and husband Dave, TN; several nieces and nephews including special nephew Greg (Chump) Schiavone.

Born August 31, 1942, in Bristol, PA, he was the son of the late Benjamin J. Ponczek and Stella Liszewski Ponczek. He was a graduate of Allentown High School, Allentown NJ and a veteran of the Marine Corps. He was a member of the American Legion Post 964, Pleasant Mount and active in it’s honor guard. An avid motorcycle rider, he was a member of the American Legion Riders, chapter 86, Susquehanna County.

With a hard exterior, always the strong Marine, he was a true softie at heart. He was always there to help and would do anything for his family. He loved to attend his grandchildren’s events and was the number one fan to them and their friends and teammates alike. While he lived many places in his life, “the mountains” were his favorite and true home. His home on Lewis Lake was the site of many happy gatherings of family and friends over the years. He terrorized all the kids with the stories of Ugga Bugga of the lake and then made them laugh with his Donald Duck imitation.

He was a jack of all trades (and a master of none, admittedly) and had a wide variety of interests from cars to kittens, toy making with exotic woods, bicycling and motorcycling. He would tell great stories about his time in the service and running the Candlelight Inn. He always had a smile on his face and loved joking around. He instilled in his family “it’s good to want, it builds character”, but always made sure they wanted for nothing. He lived life to the fullest and on his terms. He touched many and will be greatly missed. Semper Fi.

In accordance with his wishes, funeral will be private and cremation is through Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City. 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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