Francis “Ponch” Alexa

He was born in Crystal Falls, on Jan.13, 1932. Ponch married his high school sweetheart, Joan Berg, 68 years ago with whom they had five children Steve (Kathy) Alexa, Pam (Don) Minerick, Laurie (Mike) Jauquet, Julie (David) Roell, and Mike (Lori) Alexa. Ponch was the proud grandfather of nineteen grandchildren, thirty-one great- grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters to complete five generations.

Ponch and Joan were married Aug.15, 1953, in Chicago following his discharge from the Coast Guard. While in Chicago he worked as a cabinet maker and designer. Some of his creations were displays featured in the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. The family moved to Coleman, Wis., where Ponch continued to work as a cabinet maker. They relocated to Gwinn when Ponch began work at the mines and then quickly moved back to the Sagola area. Ponch built homes, cabinets, and did remodeling in his spare time, and he built their home on Sawyer Lake in Channing. Ponch and Joan spent 23 winters in Mulberry, Fla., and they met many good friends there.

They spent their 65th wedding anniversary at Firekeepers Restaurant at the Island Resort and Casino with all their children in attendance, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ponch’s favorite hobby was golf, playing golf as well as watching it on television. He also liked to go to the casinos and eat out at different restaurants. He was a lifelong member of St. Rose Church, Sagola Township Sportsman’s Club, and a member of the Cuculi-Baraga American Legion Post. Ponch enjoyed spending time with his family, except on his birthday unless he had an escape route planned!

Visitation will be held at St. Rose Catholic Church in Channing, on Tuesday, April 27, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am at the church. Fr. Dan Malone will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial in the Channing Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory.

A special thank you to the entire staff at the Veteran’s Community Living Center. Your care and respect shown to our dad while he was under your watch was so appreciated and treasured by him, as well as by our family.

Condolences to the family of Francis “Ponch” Alexa may be expressed online at ernashnashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.