Roy Stanley Pondel, 82, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at his home in Springfield, IL. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home - Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

A private family service will be held.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Roy’s name to the American Heart Association.

Roy was born on November 15, 1943 in Chicago, IL the son of Stanley and Anne (Rospenda) Pondel. He married Judy Armstrong on June 24, 1967 at St. Rose Catholic Church in Strawn, IL. She survives in Springfield.

Roy is survived by his wife and four children: Becky (Jody Nordgren) Pondel, of Rockford; Todd (Shawna) Pondel, of Gibson City; Sharon (Mike) Knepler, of Auburn; and Tracy (Hoyt) Matthew, of Rochester. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Wade, Chase, Emma, Carmen, Taylor, Brody, Taryn, and Austin.

Roy is a veteran the United States Army and is a member of American Legion Post 32 in Springfield. He worked for 38 years for the Norfolk Southern Railway as an agent, telegrapher, and leverman before he retired in 2004. Roy was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. He was an avid coin collector and member of the Central Illinois Numismatic Association. Roy enjoyed spending time with his family; especially his grandkids who loved their “Papa”. He loved to fish and collect trains and coins. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and dog “Punky”.