Paul Joseph Pontbriand, 87, of Florence, died peacefully Saturday, March 17, 2007, at his home. He was born July 15, 1919, in Florence, son of the late James and Maude (St. Onge) Pontbriand. He was a lifelong resident of Florence, and he attended Florence School, graduating in 1937. On June 26, 1948, he married Rita Witynski at St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage, seven children, 20 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Paul loved working with his carpentry tools on both small and large projects. He built the home that he and Rita shared. His tool box traveled the country helping family and friends either build or remodel their homes. He always greeted you with a smile or a kind word. Paul loved to tease family and friends, waitresses were one of his favorite targets. Paul and Rita loved to travel, they had the opportunity to visit all 50 states. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church. Paul was a man of strong faith in God who spent his life in service of God, his family, and friends. He first worked for Doyle Trucking and later went into the service. Paul was an U.S. Army Veteran, serving during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater from 1940-1945. Upon leaving the service, he worked for Inland Steel on the ore boats, he then worked for the Florence County Highway Commission. Paul was elected as the County Clerk of Court in Florence and also was a partner of Witynski & Sons Hardware. He retired from the hardware business in 1982. Paul was always ready to lend a helping hand. He volunteered his time for many organizations including: The Florence Villa, Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent DePaul, and the Florence Fire Department. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and very active in the Cursillo Movement. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rita; three sons, Steve (Debbie) Pontbriand, Iron Mountain, Mich., Mike (Mary) Pontbriand, Norway, Mich., Tom (Wanda) Pontbriand, Rhinelander, Wis.; four daughters, Sue (Bob) Schelble, Ft. Collins, Colo., Joann (Gary) Peterson, Peoria, Ill., Frances (David) Rochon, Iron Mountain, Mary (David) Carlson, Aurora, Wis.; 19 grandchildren, Scott and Kathy Schelble, Mark, Gregg, and Kristi Peterson, Kory Pontbriand and Heidi (Todd) Brown, Missy, Dan, and Joe Pontbriand, Amanda (Brett) Aylesworth, Logan and Tyler Pontbriand, Nick and Joe Rochon, Rachel, Ethan, Jonah, and Hannah Carlson; four great-grandchildren, Jacob, Eli, and Stephen Brown, and Riley Jo Peterson. Besides his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, William and Gertrude Witynski, a brother Jim Pontbriand, and a granddaughter, Mandy Schelble. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 21, 2007, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence. Prayers will be offered at 6:30 PM at the funeral home. Prayers will also be offered Thursday, March 22, 2007, 10:30 AM at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, 11:00 AM, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence. Fr. Michael Betley will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Commonwealth, Wis., in the spring. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Paul's name. Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Paul's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com The Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence is serving the family.