Donald Judson Poling, 82, of Circleville, died April 29, 2017, at The Wyngate at Circleville.
He was born July 16, 1934, in Pickaway County, and was the son of the late Jud and Mabel (Dumm) Poling.
He was a graduate of Pickaway Township School and received dual bachelor degrees in agriculture education and biological sciences from The Ohio State University.
Don taught school for 30 years: in Kingston for three years and Circleville for 27 years.
On Aug. 19, 1956, he married Phyllis Elaine Maxson at Hallsville United Methodist Church in Ross County. They celebrated 58 years together and have three daughters, Deidre (William) Schaefer of New Holland, Pennsylvania, Kamela (Dean) Yuricich of Hilliard and Melinda (James) Voorhis of Mason. They also enjoyed many years with their six grandchildren, Eric (Jessica) Schaefer, West Orange, New Jersey, Alaina Schaefer, Orlando, Florida, Britney Voorhis, Ashland, Kentucky, Chelsey Voorhis, West Chester, Ohio, Jillian Yuricich, Atlanta, Georgia, and Rachel Yuricich, Hilliard, Ohio; and three great-granddaughters, Lily, Thea, and Hazel Schaefer of New Jersey. Don is also survived by his faithful canine companion, Dolly.
Don was preceded in death by his loving wife, Elaine, on Oct. 13, 2014.
Don is survived by his children and grandchildren, as well as his sister, Gloria Ann Poling; a nephew; and several cousins.
Don enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening, and he was fond of traveling with his family. He visited all 50 states as well as many countries around the world.
During several of his years as a teacher, he also sold real estate for two local realtors. Following retirement from education, he enjoyed farming, worked many years as the secretary/treasurer of the Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery, and served his community as Pickaway Township trustee.
He was a member of Community United Methodist Church in Circleville and a member of The Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of Ohio, Pickaway Lodge No. 23 of Circleville.
Don’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 5, 2017, at Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home, Circleville, with son-in-law Pastor Bill Schaefer officiating. Burial will be in the Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m.. Thursday, May 4, 2017, and one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Central Ohio, 1379 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH 43215; Berger Hospice, 600 N. Pickaway St., Circleville, OH 43113; Community United Methodist Church, 120 N. Pickaway St., Circleville, OH 43113; or the charity of your choice .
To share a memory or send condolences, visit www.schoedinger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
