Joseph E. "Joey" Pontius

Joseph (Joey) Eugene Pontius, 69, long-time resident of the Mt. Sterling Health and Rehab Center in Mt. Sterling, IL, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, IL, with his brother, Michael, by his side.

Born May 28, 1954, Joey was the son of Eugene and Marianna Glover Pontius.  Joey was born with severe cerebral palsy and was unable to walk or talk.  Due to limited resources available for children with disabilities in the 1960’s, Joey’s parents decided to plan, construct, and manage nursing homes, with the ultimate goal of constructing a dual-licensed facility that would serve as a permanent home for Joey, where he could receive the best possible care under the watchful eye of his family.

In 1968 Joey’s parents built their last nursing home in Mt. Sterling, IL, equipped with a room designed especially for Joey, who was just 12 years old at the time.

Joey’s special room was large enough to host small family get-togethers, had a separate door to the outdoors, and large windows with a view of his parent’s home that was built next door. 

Joey enjoyed helping out around the nursing home and partaking in any activities that he could. He would assist in passing out mail, made sure the flag was raised and lowered on a daily basis, and helped collect items during arts and crafts, to name a few. He loved being around people and hanging out with family and friends, going outdoors, animals, movies, children, and car rides. He was a kind and gentle soul with an infectious smile. Thank you, Joey, for teaching those who knew you joy, patience, gratitude and kindness.

Survivors include his brother, Michael Pontius, Quincy, IL; his aunts, Wanda Lyons (Bill), San Marcos, TX, and Shirley Glover, Mt. Pleasant, IA; his cousins, Gail Schoemake (Nick), Alpharetta, GA, and Mary Landwehr (Mikal), Keokuk, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; twin aunts, Darlene Graham and Dorothy Hutcherson; and two uncles, Donald Glover and Leon Glover.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26 at Lummis-Hamilton Funeral Home in Camp Point, by Rev. Jim Crozier. Graveside services will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, IA.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services on Friday at the Lummis-Hamilton Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Online condolences may be left at www.hamiltonfuneralhomes.net.