R. Poland

R. “Gene” Poland, 79, of Marion, Ohio, formerly of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away Monday, February 15, 2010, at 12:44 P.M. at the Marion General Hospital in Marion, Ohio. He was born in Cary, Ohio August 20, 1930, a son of the late Charles and Bertha Kistler Poland.

He married Loretta Poland in Bellefontaine and she preceded him in death on April 13, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Ella Fergus on September 16, 1982, and also by seven brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by daughters, Loraine Fay (Robert) Saylor of Marion and Bertha “Bert” Kauffman of Bellefontaine; a sister, Dorothy Smith of Bellefontaine; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two step grandchildren; six step great grandchildren; one step great great grandchild, one step great great great grandchild, and numerous nieces & nephews and his pet Chihuahua “Pee Wee”.

He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War and was a retired mechanic working at several auto dealerships in Logan County, and worked as a security guard at Acrux. He was a member of First Lutheran Church and a lifelong member of V.F.W. Post #1080, American Legion, Amvets and Disabled American Veterans. He was a 1948 graduate of Bellefontaine High School.

Calling hours are Thursday, February 18, 2010, from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, where the funeral service will be held Friday, February 19, 2010 at 11 A.M. with Rev. Rob Fulton presiding. Burial will take place at the Highland Memorial Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio, with a military graveside service conducted by the Logan County Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The staff at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine assisted the family with the arrangements.

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