John Poland

John Poland, 88, died Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at his home under the care of his family and Avita Hospice.

He was born in Galion on May 12, 1936 to the late Hiram and Mary (Leonard) Poland. John graduated from North Robinson High School in 1954. He and Virginia L. Smith, whom he had known from school, began dating in 1957 and were married on April 23, 1959. John served in the National Guard for four years and joined the US Navy in 1959. All told, he had over 10 years of service to his country. After his discharge in 1965, he and Virginia moved from Ohio to Pennsylvania to Florida and back to Ohio. John worked many years as a maintenance man for various businesses and factories.

John and Virginia had the privilege of visiting all 50 US states, Germany, and cruise destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. At home, he often could be found keeping his hands busy, tinkering, wood working, doing electrical work, or assembling models while listening to country-western music. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. 

John is survived by his bride of 65 years, Virginia Poland; children, Russell (JoAnne) Poland, Melodi Harrelson, Brian (Susan) Poland, and Donna Lucas; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; siblings, Dale Poland, Kaye Scott, and Karen Knapp; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by son-in-law, Michael Harrelson and siblings, Willard Poland, Betty Ashwell, Herbert Poland, Barbara Harvey, Martin Poland, Shirley Brown, Mary Rarick, and Sandra Britt.

The Poland family will gather privately to place John to rest in Crawford County Memory Gardens with military rites by the US Navy Honor Guard and Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail.

Gifts in memory of John can be made payable to St. Paul Lutheran Church (North Robinson) and given through Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook.