H. Eugene Pontsler, 76, of Rockford, died Sept. 15, 2006, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind., where he had been a patient two days.

He was born Nov. 27, 1929, in Mercer County, to Charles William and Grace H. Sharp Pontsler. On Feb. 10, 1951, he married Vivian K. Heppeard, who died Nov. 29, 1995.

Surviving are three sons, Gary (Kathy), Willshire; Rick and Greg (Jamie), all of Rockford; a daughter, Linda, Celina; five brothers, Stanley (Marcella), Ohio City; Vernon (Shirley) and Lee (Londa), all of Van Wert, Don (Ethel), Rockford, and Glenn (Marcile), Buford, Ga.; a sister, Wanda Wenner, Ohio City; 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

He retired as an auto mechanic in 1994 from Reineke-Mitchell, Inc., Celina, and previously worked at Lloyd Motor Sales and Riley Chevrolet, both in Rockford. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War, and was a member of the Glenn D. Eckhart post 508 American Legion, Rockford.

Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, the Rev. Mark Rutledge officiating. Burial is at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Rockford American Legion.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the American Heart Association.