Earl Francis Ponath was born November 26, 1928, at the family home in Naicam Saskatchewan, to parents Winnifred and Frank Ponath. He was the oldest child, and big brother to sisters Joan, Beverly and Margaret.

Earl started school September 1, 1934. He received his education at the Pioneer School in Naicam. Earl was busy as a young man playing ball and hockey with his friends and hanging around in the Naicam Garage, which his father owned and operated. It was there he learned to fix anything that was mechanical-a skill that he used all of his life. Just a few months ago, he took apart his electric razor and tried to make it shave better. Earl started University on Sept 24, 1946 at the age of 17, attending the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. After one year at university Earl made the decision to join his father Frank as a partner in Naicam Garage. Together they sold General Motors products, repaired all types of vehicles, expanding into Allis Chalmers farm equipment and later sold bagged fertilizer as well. Earl was very involved with community- as a Board of Trade member, Lions Club member, volunteer fireman, hockey coach, Stoney Meadows Golf Club member and a Saskatchewan Canola Grower Association director.

In the fall of 1947 Earl decided he wanted to learn to fly. He drove to Humboldt to take lessons, where they had to start a fire to heat the office building, and put the oil from the plane’s engine by the stove to warm up. When the oil was warm enough, it was taken out and poured into the engine. When the training flights were finished the oil was drained while it was warm and stored in the office until the next lesson. His log book states that the plane was a Tiger Moth, and he was able to complete two solo flights from Humboldt to Naicam and return.

Earl met his future wife, Grace Brenna at a dance in Spalding, and they were married on April 4, 1950. Together they raised four children; Scott, Diane, Eric and Alison. In 1962-63 Earl and Frank sold their business and began farming. They called their new venture Circle P Ranch. In 1966 Earl and Grace decided to move out of Naicam and into the country. A new home was completed in 1967. Earl continued to live on the farm until 1988 when he and Grace made the move back into Naicam.

Earl enjoyed golfing, and together with Grace spent many winters in Phoenix. He also made many trips to Las Vegas with a group of friends to golf and relax. Following Grace’s death, he travelled to Mexico numerous times with family, where he enjoyed the people and the ocean.

Declining health forced Earl to move into Caleb Village in Tisdale and then Parkland Place in Melfort. He was content in his surroundings there, and was celebrating his 92nd birthday when he suffered the injury that would lead to his death.

Earl was predeceased by infant son Francis, parents Frank and Winnifred, wife Grace, daughter Diane, sister Joan and granddaughter Nicole.

He leaves to mourn, special friend Audrey Anderson, sons Scott Ponath (Karen), Eric Ponath (Kathy), daughter Alison Burg (Darrell).

Grandchildren include Heather Ponath and her children Emma and Eddie, Jodie Olson (Brian), and their children Sofie, Kylan and Camden, Rene Prefontaine, Jared Ponath (Laura), Caitlin Gerstel (Shawn), and their children Carter, Adrian and Emery, Jesse Ponath (Stephanie), Jon Ponath (Kim) son Ben, Sean Ponath (Kat), Tyler Larsen (Audra), Kaly Coleman (Todd), and their children Taylor and Nixon.

Earl also leaves to mourn his sister Beverly Peterson (Walter), Margaret Anderson, and in laws William Schramm, Winston (Mary) Brenna, Doreen Hushagen, Rita Stein, Ray Jaskela and their families.

Special Thank You from the family to Parkland Place staff and 2nd floor nurses at Melfort Union Hospital for their care and compassion.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.

Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to Naicam Ambulance.  Cheques made payable to Town of Naicam (Ambulance), PO Box 238, Naicam, SK S0K 2Z0.

To leave condolences for the Family, please visit the online guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Melfort, (306)752-3838

 

• Date : 2020-12-06
• Location : Melfort, SK