Edward "Ed"

Pontarelli

SHERMAN - Edward "Ed" Pontarelli, 88, formerly of Rochester, passed away at the Villa Health Care East on Wednesday, February 25, 2015.

Ed was born to Enrico and Pasqualina (Lombardi) Pontarelli, one of seven children with the given name of Edwardo Pontarelli on July 25, 1926, in Chicago, Ill.

Ed attended Kelly High School in Chicago, Ill., prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Ed was a Signalman on an attack transport ship named the U.S.S. Barnstable in the Pacific Theater. He served from May 1944 through February 1946 and was awarded five battle stars for his service.

In 1947 he became a licensed airplane pilot. In 1948 he met his wife, Alice Wordelman, at the Trianon Ballroom in Chicago. The two were married on September 3, 1949, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Chicago, Ill.

In 1950 he graduated from the Aeronautical University in Chicago and received his Aircraft and Engine Mechanics license. Shortly afterward he opened a helicopter repair service in Chicago.

In 1960 he joined the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Maintenance Inspector. In 1967 he received his U.S. Government Parachute Rigger license from the U.S. Forestry Service school in Missoula, Mont. Throughout his career he completed many other training programs and coursework through both Cameron University in Lawton, Okla., and the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.

In 1982 he retired as the Chief of the Springfield, Ill., FAA General Aviation District Office with 23 years of service.

Ed loved boating and was a charter member of the Land of Lincoln Power Squadron and served as the squadron's first educational officer. He was also a lifetime member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employee (NARFE) Association and VFW Post 11463 in Rochester, Ill., where he had served a term as the Post Commander.

He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sherman, Ill. Prior to joining Good Shepherd in Sherman he had served in various volunteer ministries including Elder, Usher, choir member, and minister to the homebound within the Lutheran church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Gerino, Tommaso, Antonio, Alberto, and Raymondo Pontarelli.

He is survived by his wife, Alice (Wordelman); his sister, Lee (Virgel) Olsen of Kent, Wash.; and two daughters, Terry (Mike, deceased) Miller of Indianapolis, Ind., and Cherie (Tom) Doherty of Springfield, Ill. There are six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 28, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sherman, Ill., from 10-11 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. at the church with a luncheon to follow.

A committal service will be held at Mottarville Cemetery in Rochester, Ill., after the luncheon.

Memorials gifts may be made to the following organizations, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sherman, IL; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Rochester, IL; or the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.

Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester is in charge of arrangements. Visit online at

www.wilsonparkfuneralhome.com