George E. "Sonny" Pohto

George E. "Sonny" Pohto, Sr., 90, of Chardon, died Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at University Hospitals - Geauga Medical Center in Chardon. He was born December 28, 1919 in Warren, the son of George and Hulda (Kujala) Pohto, and had lived in Nelson and Alliance before moving to Chardon nine years ago.

A World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy Seabees, Mr. Pohto worked as an overhead crane operator for Republic Steel for 35 years. As a younger man, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was always an excellent swimmer. He also enjoyed gardening, and most of all, his family.

Surviving are his wife, Beula Pohto of Lee's Summit, Mo.; five children: Linda Pohto and Susan (Ralph) Williams, both of Lexington, N.C., Barbara (Chris) Mullet of Chardon, Paul (Diane) Pohto of Garrettsville, and Mary Ellen (Fred) Baughman of Kirtland; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson. Preceding him in death are his parents; his step-father, Charles Juntunen; his first wife, Mary Ellen (Hovis) Pohto; his second wife, Helen (Bazil) Pohto; two sons: George E., Jr. and Robert Pohto; an infant grandson; and two sisters, Margaret Price and Dorothy Richen.

Services are 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 23, 2010 at McFarland & Son Funeral Home, with Rev. Rick Hughes of Nelson United Methodist Church officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Crown Hill Burial Park. Friends may call 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Material contributions may be made to the donor's favorite charity in the name of George E. Pohto, Sr.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.