Michael Jon Pontz was born June 2nd, 1946 in Lansing Michigan and was called to the Lord on September 10th, 2019 after a long and valiant battle with Cancer with his doting wife Nancy by his side.

Michael grew up in Lansing Michigan where he attended Lansing Sexton High School and then went on to graduate with a Purchasing Degree from Michigan State University.  He was a high-energy, hard-working guy who excelled starting out at a bread manufacturer in Lansing and ending up through the last few years as the VP of Sales for Industrial Fabricators in Gastonia, NC where he grew their sales year over year with his tenacity and competence.  He even took a stint at Lansing Community College in the early 90s where he was a liaison between local businesses and the college to give people real-world experience.  Truthfully, he took that job so he could spend more time with his children, Adrianne and Justin.

Michael was always making sacrifices for others and most of all his kids and his extended family.  He was the strength, the strategy or the kind word that was needed to help those closest get through some of life’s toughest times and he did this selflessly and without question.  He was a shepherd for people in that he showed people their worth and made you believe you could do anything with a little gumption and hard work.  Aside from his family, he helped countless people in need whether it was by letting some of his kid’s wayward friends live with him to just helping those around him that were down and out.  He didn’t give hand outs, he gave you his hand so that he could pull you up and you could help yourself.

In the early 2000s he met the love of his life in Nancy Summers.  Their love story started as two high powered professionals just exchanging phone calls on the road to two soul mates who got married in front of all their children and extended family in 2006 at the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC.  Nancy made her entrance in a carriage around a pond with swans swimming.  This was a perfect example of his love for Nancy.  He would do anything to make her feel like a princess and taken care of.  Nancy, felt the same way, and was always there for him even in his last, difficult days.  They worked together, as a team, with the end goal of being able to retire in 2020.  He realized, as time went on, that his illness would change that, but it was his desire to support Nancy, so she could realize the dream of retirement for the both of them.

Michael should be remembered as a steady, compassionate family man who always put his loved ones first.  His lessons of kindness, values and character formed his worldview and rubbed off on those close to him. He dreamed of having house in the mountains near a stream, with a floral garden, fruit orchard, and bees to make his own honey, along with two dogs.  He will now have everything his heart desires in heaven, as he can finally get a break from taking care of everyone, to being taken care of by His Lord and Savior.

Michael is preceded in death by his mother (Marian) and his father (Harold).  He leaves behind his wife (Nancy), his children Adrianne and Justin, grandchildren Caleb and Veda, sister (Patricia), along with his extended family (from his wife Nancy) -  Jacob (Carrie) Omernik, grandchildren: Raegen, William, and Oakley, and Garrett (Hollie) Omernik, grandchildren:  Grant and Gage.   He was affectionately known as “Grandpa Mike”.  Sisters -in-law:  Grace Domaszek, Rita (Jerry) Lepak-Kirschling, Mattie Omitt, all of Stevens Point, WI.  Brothers-in-law:  Jim (Cheryl) Palbrach, Gary (Karen) Palbrach, & Danny (Sandy) Palbrach all of Stevens Point, WI.  His cousin (Judy), nieces and nephews and countless more extended family.  “Wolfie” you will truly be missed and your impact will be felt for generations.

Michael’s services were held on Sunday, September 15th at St. Mary’s, in Rock Hill. He will be buried in Polonia, Wisconsin, where his wife Nancy grew up, and will eventually be buried next to his side.

There will be a celebration of life in the Lansing, MI area in the next coming weeks where friends and family can come and tell their favorite Mike story.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.