1943
Harold
2015
Harold "Hal" W. LaPonsie
September 15, 1943 — March 30, 2015
Christmas
Harold W. "Hal" LaPonsie, age 71, of Christmas, Michigan, died on Monday, March 30, 2015 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan. He was born on September 15, 1943 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI to the late George and Gladys (Bray) LaPonsie. Hal graduated from high school in Grand Rapids, MI and then entered into the United States Air Force. He served three tours in Vietnam where he was a Survival Equipment Supervisor. Hal's next duty assignment on returning stateside was that he began working as a medical administrations specialist in several Air Force medical centers. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with two Devices, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Devices, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, as well as many others. Hal retired from the Air Force on July 31, 1981 at KI Sawyer Air Force Base, MI after twenty years of service to our country. His service to his fellow veterans did not end there; he began working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Medical Administration at the Medical Centers in Alexandria, LA and Ann Arbor, MI for eight years. He finally achieved his goal to assist veterans and their dependents by helping them receive deserved benefits from the Department of Veterans affairs as a National Service Officer for Disabled American Veteran for eleven years in Detroit. Hal married Pat Bracciale on September 1, 1990 at Munising Falls, a place that the two of them longed to retire to. Once they moved to the UP Hal was able to enjoy fishing, watching the birds, Lake Superior, and cooking his famous ribs. He was a proud member of the DAV and Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his wife - Pat of Christmas, sons - Harold "Hal" LaPonsie II of Austin, TX and John (Jenny) LaPonsie of Pollack, LA; daughter Michelle Wilson of Yellville, AK; grandchildren - Elizabeth Grace LaPonsie, Starlight and Cheyenne Wilson; step-grandchildren - Zachary, Christian, and Jazz Gaudet; siblings - Barbara "Barb" (Harold) Magoon of Newaygo, MI George (Joan) LaPonsie of Jackson, CA, Jeannie Corbett of White Cloud, MI and Oscar "Ozzie" (Cookie) LaPonsie of White Cloud; and nieces and nephews. Hal was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Tom Corbett. Sadly, he was shortly followed by his beloved sister Barb on April 1, 2015.
A Military committal service was held at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI on April 7, 2015.
To the many people who knew Hal, he was respected, admired and will be missed greatly. To Hal II and John, Hal loved you and was extremely proud of both of you, and he adored his granddaughter Elizabeth. Finally, by his wife Pat he will be cherished as the one person who truly loved her in this life. May he Rest in Peace.
Harold W. "Hal" LaPonsie, age 71, of Christmas, Michigan, died on Monday, March 30, 2015 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan. He was born on September 15, 1943 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI to the late George and Gladys (Bray) LaPonsie. Hal graduated from high school in Grand Rapids, MI and then entered into the United States Air Force. He served three tours in Vietnam where he was a Survival Equipment Supervisor. Hal's next duty assignment on returning stateside was that he began working as a medical administrations specialist in several Air Force medical centers. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with two Devices, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Devices, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, as well as many others. Hal retired from the Air Force on July 31, 1981 at KI Sawyer Air Force Base, MI after twenty years of service to our country. His service to his fellow veterans did not end there; he began working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Medical Administration at the Medical Centers in Alexandria, LA and Ann Arbor, MI for eight years. He finally achieved his goal to assist veterans and their dependents by helping them receive deserved benefits from the Department of Veterans affairs as a National Service Officer for Disabled American Veteran for eleven years in Detroit. Hal married Pat Bracciale on September 1, 1990 at Munising Falls, a place that the two of them longed to retire to. Once they moved to the UP Hal was able to enjoy fishing, watching the birds, Lake Superior, and cooking his famous ribs. He was a proud member of the DAV and Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his wife - Pat of Christmas, sons - Harold "Hal" LaPonsie II of Austin, TX and John (Jenny) LaPonsie of Pollack, LA; daughter Michelle Wilson of Yellville, AK; grandchildren - Elizabeth Grace LaPonsie, Starlight and Cheyenne Wilson; step-grandchildren - Zachary, Christian, and Jazz Gaudet; siblings - Barbara "Barb" (Harold) Magoon of Newaygo, MI George (Joan) LaPonsie of Jackson, CA, Jeannie Corbett of White Cloud, MI and Oscar "Ozzie" (Cookie) LaPonsie of White Cloud; and nieces and nephews. Hal was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Tom Corbett. Sadly, he was shortly followed by his beloved sister Barb on April 1, 2015.
A Military committal service was held at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI on April 7, 2015.
To the many people who knew Hal, he was respected, admired and will be missed greatly. To Hal II and John, Hal loved you and was extremely proud of both of you, and he adored his granddaughter Elizabeth. Finally, by his wife Pat he will be cherished as the one person who truly loved her in this life. May he Rest in Peace.
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