Al's Supermarkets Founder Dies at 81

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- Services were held here this week for Al Pontius, founder of the six-store Al‘s Supermarkets chain in Indiana. He died Jan. 6 of cancer at age 81. Pontius opened the first Al‘s location in Michigan City after returning from Navy service in 1946. His Lakeshore Foods company eventually added a location in Michigan City, as well as stores in LaPorte and South Haven, Ind., and a Barney‘s Market store in New Buffalo, Mich. Pontius‘ son Gil runs the company today, but Al remained active in the business, employees said.