Marie Ponkilla

Eloise “Marie” (Johnson) Ponkilla, 84 year old Seminole, Oklahoma resident, passed from this life on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at her home in Seminole County, Oklahoma surrounded by her loving family.  She was born June 29, 1932 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to parents Frank Matchemeshe and Mary Katchequah. Marie graduated from Dale High School in 1953.  She is also a member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. On May 4, 1953 Marie married Ray Ponkilla in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Marie had worked at Blue Bell in Seminole (now known as Wrangler) were she worked as an inspector.  Marie retired in 1997 after 35 years of employment.  Marie was also a member of Snake Creek Indian Baptist Church No. II. Survivors include 2 sons, Robert Ponkilla of Edmond, Oklahoma, Stephen Ponkilla of Shawnee, Oklahoma; 2 daughters, Ramona Ponkilla of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Janell Ponkilla of Seminole, Oklahoma; 1 sister, Geraldine Kaskaskee of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends. Marie was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband of 52 years, Ray Ponkilla who died in 2005; by 2 sons, Stewart Ponkilla who died in 2014, and Clifford Ponkilla who died in 1998; by 5 brothers, Richard Johnson, Jonas Johnson, Ricardo Salazar, Eugene Johnson and Thomas Dave Johnson; by 1 sister, Eva Johnson; and by 4 grandchildren. Wake services are scheduled for Friday, April 14, 2017 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday. April 15, 2017 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma. Rev. Bill Hobia and Rev. Thomas Little will be officiating the service.  Interment will follow at Little Cemetery located north of Seminole on Hwy 99. Casket Bearers will be: Ronnie Johnson, Steve Johnson, Bruce Johnson, Walter Johnson, Joe Johnson, Grayling Johnson, Leam Johnson, Curtis Johnson, George Johnson and Mark Randolph. Honorary Bearers will be: Gerald Williams, Porter Bear Jr., Ronald Bear, John Underwoood, John Hunter, Derek Ponkilla, Jacob Underwood, Brandon Ponkilla and Tony Perry. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: April 15, 2017, 2:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel - Seminole located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868