- Date Of Birth: April 4, 1927
- Date Of Death: June 13, 2016
- State: Illinois
LaVerne J. Poninski, 89 of Centralia, passed away Monday, June 13, 2016, at her home. She was born April 4, 1927, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Braxton Branam and Lillian (Lammert) Branam.
She married Thomas Poninski on December 20, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri and he preceded her in death on November 1, 1971.LaVerne is survived by five daughters and one son: Cathy Stuehmeier and husband John of Centralia, Terrell Forth of Centralia, Toni Gray of Centralia, Connie Poninski of Centralia, Marsha DePew and husband Mark of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Paul Poninski and wife Linda of Walnut Hill, Illinois; nine grandchildren: Lisa Brink, Sheliah Forth, Aaron Wilson, Andy Wilson, Zachary DePew, Thomas Gray, Jr., Bryan Poninski, Lindsay Poninski, and Scott Uhls; 12 great-grandchildren: Brandon Creps, Blake Wilson, Josh Wilson, Mikayla Wilson, Cameron Wilson, Stephen Wilson, Brighton Wilson, Emerson DePew, Patience DePew, Natalie Poninski, Kierston Uhls, and Hailey Uhls.
She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, husband, a brother, Henry Branam, and an infant granddaughter: Samantha Lee Forth.LaVerne was employed by Illinois Bell Company for 28 years as a Telephone Operator and she retired on March 28, 1983. She also was employed by the Department of Children and Family Services. LaVerne fostered children also, to help them during a time they needed a home. She was also employed at Good Samaritan Hospital as the Dietary Supervisor. LaVerne continued her education in early childhood and obtained her degree. In 1982 she opened and became the Director of “TOT-N-TYKES”, which was a daycare and preschool. She attended First United Presbyterian Church in Centralia. She was a member of the church choir, a Sunday School Teacher, active in directing the children’s plays, and an Elder in the church. LaVerne enjoyed cooking, traveling, her many pets, ongoing education, and family. She had an enthusiasm for life and demonstrated this in many facets of her life.
