On January 23, 2015, at the age of seventy-five, Jane Haley Ponder passed away from natural causes at Mercy St. Theresa’s Home in Mariemont, Ohio. She was born on May 12, 1939 to Fred and Mattie Pearl Haley in McMinnville, Tennessee. Jane is preceded in death by her husband, Robert George Ponder (2002), son-in-law, Jeffrey Eric Hacia (2007) and son, Thomas Scott Ponder (2011). Jane is survived by her daughter, Kali (Tom) Boecher of Mariemont, Ohio. Jane is also survived by nine grandchildren: Natalie (Stephen) Cornish, Isaac (Jessica) Ponder, Sarah (David) Strickland, Brittney Rick, Cherie (Dustin) McKrow, Galen (Kelly) Ponder, Shaylee Ponder, Michelle Hacias, and Jackson Hacias as well as eighteen great-grandchildren. Jane was raised in Rockwood, Tennessee. Jane attended Fred Hardman College where she met her husband, Bob. They were married on August 8, 1959. Jane and Bob served as missionaries following his graduation in 1963 on the eastern shores of Maryland and Virginia where Bob served as minister for the Church of Christ. During their marriage, Bob and Jane fostered 21 children and adopted their son Tom and daughter Kali. In 1971, she and Bob received a Governor’s Citation in appreciation of outstanding services to the children of Maryland. Jane later received her degree in Social Work from Saginaw Valley State College. She and Bob owned and operated Thumb Area Counseling Services for 15 years. Jane also continued to support her husband as a minister and elder for the Caro Church of Christ for many years, where she also taught many adult and children’s Bible classes. She and Bob touched the lives of so many youth in Caro through the Church and their work as counselors. Jane moved to Mariemont, Ohio in 2007 following the death of her son-in-law in order to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. Jane loved to play cards and dominoes with her friends at Marielders. She also loved to spend time with her grandchildren, having attended many sports and school activities. She was a favorite regular at the Mariemont Inn and a friend to all who worked there. Everyone who met her said the same thing, that she was so sweet and friendly. She loved to introduce her family to everyone she knew and always told those she loved how special they were. Her gift to life was her capacity for caring for people. Through years of foster care for her children, counseling troubled youth and even as a men’s fashion consultant, she never faltered in her desire to make people feel better about themselves. Her consideration in providing a dinner for a friend to milkshakes and coffees for her Marielders mates, she always had a way to make others feel special and appreciated. Jane had a strong faith and now resides with her loved ones in the presence of God. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Village Church of Mariemont located at 3920 Oak Street, the corner of Oak and Maple. A meal will be served following the service.
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