The memorial service for Ervin "Poncho" Ponto will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin with Pastor Terrill Bramstedt officiating.  Burial will be in the Elgin Cemetery with Military Honors by the Plainview American Legion Post #179 and the Millville American Legion Post #579.

Ervin William Ponto, 69, of Plainview, passed away at his home on Monday, August 19, 2019.  He was born October 20, 1949 in Wabasha, to Emery and Martha (Halpaus) Ponto.  He grew up in Elgin attending school and graduating in 1967 from Elgin High School.  Ervin served in the US Navy from July 17, 1968 to March 19, 1974 serving in Vietnam.  On August 22, 1970 he married Shirley Nelson at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester.

Ervin worked for Fraser Construction in Rochester for 38 years and was a member of Local 49 Union all of those years.  He loved to cook, go hunting and fishing, and woodworking. Ervin enjoyed mowing his yard and taking care of his farm and garden, and making wine.  He could fix anything with his duct tape.  They loved to travel and spent a couple winters in Phar, TX after his retirement.

Ervin is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Ponto of Plainview; daughters, Melissa Ponto of Owatonna and Nicole (Tim) Kiefer of Plainview; four grandchildren, Austin Norton, Hunter Norton, Alexis (fiancé Joshua Jackson) Kiefer, and Madison Kiefer; one great-granddaughter, Arianna Kiefer; siblings, Jerald (Renee) Ponto of Wyoming, MN, Dorothy Senst of Wabasha, Lougine Barrett of Utica, Barbara (Richard) Zimney, Jeraldine (James) Gustavson, and Sharon (Wes) Glasenapp all of Rochester, and Joyce Richmond of California.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Earl "Bud" Ponto, and brother-in-law, Roland Barrett.

Friends and family may visit from 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 6, until the time of service at Trinity Lutheran Church.