Isabelle S. (Leiser) Pontious Bachman

Isabelle Pontious Bachman, 92, of Watsontown, went to be with her Lord and savior on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at Watsontown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.   

Born August 11, 1927 in Watsontown RD, she was a daughter of George Samuel and Kathryn Smith Leiser.  Isabelle married John Richard Pontious in 1951.  They resided in Williamsport and were married for 29 years before his passing in 1980.  In 2000 she married John R. Bachman of Watsontown. They were married for 16 years before his passing in 2016. 

Isabelle was happiest spending time outdoors, and she enjoyed fishing and bird watching. She had fond memories of spending time in nature on her family’s farm, and later at a family cabin in Penfield, and her camp in Barclay. She was an avid card player and a member of several bowling teams.  Most of all she loved spending time with her family. She was a sweet, gentle, and kind-hearted soul who will be missed by all who loved her. 

Isabelle graduated from Watsontown High School in 1945 and Williamsport Hospital School of nursing in 1948.  She was affiliated at Canandaigua Veterans Hospital where she worked until 1951.  During her career, she was employed as a nurse at the Williamsport Hospital School of Nursing, the Visiting Nurse Association of Lycoming County, Avco Lycoming Motors, and Lysock View Nursing Home.  She also drove school bus for Williamsport Area Schools until she retired in 1993.

She was a dedicated member of New Hope United Methodist Church in Williamsport, and joined the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Watsontown after her marriage to John Bachman.     

She is also preceded in death by: her parents, her sister Pauline Kisner, and her brothers, William and Dayton Leiser. 

Isabelle is survived by many loved ones: her son J. Rodney Pontious (Diane) of Montoursville; her daughter Jean Hessert (Gary) of Williamsport; four grandchildren: Jennifer Baker (Reid) of Arizona, Michael Pontious (Lisa) of Jersey Shore, Aimee Hessert Canfield (Doug) of Shepherdstown, WV, and Jake Hessert of Williamsport; two great-grandsons: Joseph Pontious, and Landon Canfield; step great-granddaughters Emalie Rell and Cassidy Rell; her nieces and nephews; stepsons Robert Bachman (Barbara) of Watsontown and William Bachman (Loretta) of Mechanicsburg; four step-grandchildren: Lisa Houston (Chad) of Dallas, TX, Adam Bachman (Mary) of Lewisburg, Rachel Connell (James) of Shiremanstown, and Nathan Bachman of Westchester; and five step great-grandchildren:  Zinnia Houston, Hannah Bachman, Elijah Bachman, Brandt Connell, and Claire Connell. 

A memorial service to honor Isabelle’s life will take place at a later date at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Watsontown. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. John’s Lutheran Church c/o Barbara Russell, 350 Fisher Drive, Watsontown, PA, 17777. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brooks Funeral Home & Cremation Svc PC, 124 Main Street, Watsontown.  www.wfbrooksfuneralhome.com

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