Margaret M. Pongracz

Margaret M. (Marge) Pongracz, 85, of Columbus, IN passed away at 2:37 a.m. Monday, November 6, 2023, at Bickford of Greenwood. Marge was born on July 21, 1938, in East Chicago, IN to Frank Wontorek and Anne Kasprzyk Wontorek. Marge graduated in 1956 from Bishop Noll High School in Hammond, Indiana. She married her high school sweetheart, Vincent Paul Pongracz on June 20, 1959, moving to Columbus, IN to start their family. Marge was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and proud homemaker. She was a charter member of St. Columba Catholic Church, working part-time in the church office as a secretary, and later a faithful member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. She enjoyed volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the Columbus JayShee’s. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, bridge club, crossword, and jigsaw puzzles, bird watching (especially hummingbirds), and meeting friends for lunch and coffee. She loved musicals, especially the Sound of Music. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, November 10, 2023, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with Father Clem Davis officiating. Calling hours will be one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Marge will be laid to rest beside her husband, Vince, and son, Michael at Garland Brook Cemetery. A live stream of the funeral service may be viewed at saintbartholomew.org In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 2200 Cabot Dr., Suite 460, Lisle, IL 60532 or through the funeral home. The family would like to express their gratitude for the exceptional response and care that the Franciscan Hospice staff, chaplains and nurses provided during Marge’s final days. Survivors include her children, Denise (Mark) Langhenry of Tuscon, AZ; William (Jenni) Pongracz of Springfield, IL; Phillip (Tanya) Poncracz of Indianapolis, IN; brother, Tom (LaVonne) Wontorek of Rehoboth Beach, DE; sister, Therese (Dave Hayden) Wontorek of Casa Grande, AZ; grandchildren, Mike Langhenry, Jen (Ben) Woods, Abigail (Wyatt) Bowles and Adam Pongracz; great-grandchildren, Ripley Woods and Nadia Woods Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Anne Wontorek; husband, Vincent Pongracz on June 12, 2014; son, Michael Pongracz; brother, Bernie Wontorek. Arrangements were entrusted to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.