Peter Poncsak

Peter Poncsak, age 76, of West Unity, Ohio, died at 7:37 A.M. on Friday, January 31, 2014, at Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers in Bryan, where he was a patient, after a brief illness. An immigrant of Hungary, at age 19, Peter escaped the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 into Austria, where he stayed for the next six months before being sponsored to go to Canada. He then made his way to Benton Harbor, Michigan, and finally settled in Bryan in 1957, where he began working as a machinist at Bryan Metals, a position he held for the next thirty-one years. After leaving Bryan Metals, he worked in the mixing department at General Tire in Bryan, retiring with twelve years of service. He enjoyed his farm life, being in the country and raising beef cattle, beginning in 1973 with the slogan of “Pete’s Meat Can’t Be Beat.” In retirement he and his wife were able to travel extensively, visiting thirty-seven countries. He also enjoyed bowling, playing golf and selling tickets for the Knights of Columbus, of which he was a member. His memberships also included St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bryan, Bryan Eagles Aerie #2233 and Bryan Moose Lodge #1064. Peter Poncsak was born on May 12, 1937, in Ajak, Hungary, Europe, the son of Ference and Maria (Hasolyo) Poncsak. He married Margaret (Hampton) Marker on September 1, 1990, in Bryan and she survives. Survivors also include their children, Andrew (Suzanne) Poncsak, of Lewis Center, Ohio, Angela (Mark) Grine, of Liberty Center, Ohio, Rick Poncsak and Mick Poncsak, both of Bryan, Kelly (Jeff) Patten, of West Unity, and Rick Marker, of Findlay, Ohio; twelve grandchildren, Devin, Dane, Cayl, Colton, Crystal, Brandon, Brianna, Nathan, Seth, Christian, Grace and Tosha (Todd) Moyer; one great-grandchild, Taeya Moyer, one brother, Laszlo (Ildiko) Poncsak, of Bryan; and three sisters, Margaret, Veronaka and Maria, all in Ajak, Hungary, Europe. He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Erika Grine, in 1994, two brothers, Ference and John, and one sister, Anna. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2014, from 2:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Bryan Moose Lodge services will be held at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday followed by recitation of the rosary at 8:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Services will be held on Friday, February 7, 2014,at 11:00 A.M. in St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bryan, with Father James Halleron officiating. Interment will follow in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan. Memorials are requested to St. Patrick Catholic Church.