Walfred Karl Ponnikas

NEGAUNEE - Walfred Karl Ponnikas, 'Wally', 83, a resident of Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee, and a former resident of the Copper Country, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at Eastwood Nursing Center following a brief illness.
Walfred was born on October 26, 1932, in Coburntown, the son of Karl and Martha (Maki) Ponnikas. He attended Quincy Hill's Pewabic Schools and graduated from Hancock Central High school in 1950.
 On August 8, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Genevieve Yoohs, in a double wedding ceremony with Genevieve's sister Dorothy and Philip Dennis.
Walfred joined the U.S. Navy in 1954 and was stationed in Annapolis, Maryland. After his discharge in 1956, he returned to the U.P. He was a member of the Naval Reserves for several years.
Walfred worked at Atlas Powder while attending Michigan Technological University, but left school less than a year before graduation to 'get a real job' to support his growing family. He was a foreman  and electrician at White Pine Copper Mine until a serious auto accident and lengthy recuperation forced him to find work closer to home. He ended his working career as the rural mailman for the U.S. Postal Service in Hancock.
Wally had a quick wit and sense of humor, and a bright, inventive mind. Woodworking was a hobby and he enjoyed building furniture and even toys for the children. He completely renovated the family home, built 'The Camp' on Hancock Canal, and rehabilitated apartments with his brother-in-law, Phil. Phil once said, "If you need a problem solved, ask Wally. If he doesn't have a solution right then, let him sleep on it and he'll have the answer in the morning."
Wally's life is best defined by one word: generosity. He freely gave of his time, talents and resources, and financially supported many charities. He was a volunteer fireman for Quincy-Franklin Fire Dept., a coach for his son Brian's little league hockey team, and he was instrumental in the building and maintaining of Coburntown's neighborhood ice rink.
Answering the late night knock at the door, he pulled many a stranded motorist out of a snowbank with his Scout, never asking for anything in return - something he learned from his Dad who sent him and his brother Allan to shovel for elderly widows, warning them not to take a penny!
He welcomed everyone to "The Camp", and just threw more burgers on the grill when unexpected company stopped by. His children's friends were often included on fun family outings, and right to the end, he was 'Grampa' to the friends of many of his grand and great grandchildren, who were always the lights of his life.
At age 52, a stroke left Wally paralyzed and eventually wheelchair bound. He was cared for at home by his loving wife, Genevieve, and they lived with their daughter and son-in-law, Linda and David Bimel for more than 13 of those years.
 Since moving to Eastwood Nursing Center in 2013, Wally would wheel through the halls, greeting fellow residents. Though the stroke robbed him of his hearing and the ability to speak, he would smile, grasp a friend's hand, and give them a "Thumbs Up" and a hearty "OK!"
Wally was preceded in death by his parents; two infant sisters; his son, Brian in 1989; and his brother, Allan.
 He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Genevieve of Negaunee; his two daughters and sons-in-law,  Linda and David Bimel of Negaunee and Lori and Rev. Gary Step of Hudsonville, Michigan; five grandchildren, Jill (Brad) Seppala, and Britton (Hannah) Bimel of Negaunee, Ryder (Ashley) Step of Zeeland, Michigan, Riley (Sasha) Step of Wyoming, Michigan, and Rebecca Step of Hudsonville Michigan; and 10 great grandchildren, Jacob, Alexandra, Caleb, Genevieve and Chloe Seppala, and Isaac and Ezra Bimel, all of Negaunee, Macade Step of Zeeland, and Riven and unborn baby Step of Wyoming. He is also survived by his brother, Doug (Laura) Ponnikas of Coburntown, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

     Graveside services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, May 27, 2016 at section 14 of Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock, conducted by his son-in-law, Rev. Gary Step.  The Copper Country Veterans Association will also conduct military honors. Friends may join his family before the cemetery services or at  a reception following the services at the Fellowship Hall in the First United Methodist Church of Hancock. The O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting with the arrangements.

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