Madonna Sue Poninski, 83, of Woodlawn, Illinois, passed away at 8:00 am February 18, 2022 at her residence. Sue was born with Spina Bifida and overcame overwhelming odds to live past the age of 21. She not only overcame the doctors prognosis but dedicated her life to serving others and her family. Sue was a faithful member of Woodlawn Christian Church. She worked at Good Samaritan Hospital for many years. Sue loved her community. She was a leader of the Senior Citizens in Woodlawn and volunteered her time cooking monthly meals and making Christmas plates. She was a beloved wife, a cherished mother, a devoted grandmother, a loving sister, and friend as well as an aunt. Sue will be deeply missed.
A Visitation will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 pm with Mr. Doug Junkins officiating. Interment will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Woodlawn. Memorials may be made in Sue’s honor to Woodlawn Christian Church or to Hughey Funeral Home. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
Sue is survived by her daughter, Anita Clay and husband, Dan of Keller, Texas; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Poninski of St. Peters, Missouri; grandchildren, Brandon, Brogan, Bria, and Brenna Ambrozy, Erin Poninski, and step-grandchildren; Sean and Matthew Adams; sister, Connie Petersen of Mount Vernon, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
She was born October 30, 1938 in Woodlawn to the late Owen Kelly and Madonna (Winkler) Kelly-Burgin. Sue married Michael Poninski on February 16, 1963. They nearly celebrated fifty-nine years of marriage before his passing on February 9, 2022. In addition to her parents and husband, Sue was preceded in death by her son, Tim Poninski; stepfather, Aubrey Burgin; brother, Dan Kelly; and siblings-in-law, Walt Petersen, Robert Poninski, Barb Rohner, and June Kelly.
