Gene Poland

GENE POLAND Vearus Gene Poland, son of Buck David and Eva May Gearhart Poland, was born, October 7, 1921 in Potwin, Kansas. He departed this life, Saturday, September 13, 2014, in Knoxville Hospital, Knoxville, Iowa at the age of ninety-two years, eleven months and six days. On November 12, 1941 he was united in marriage to Theda Jane Hyder. Together they shared fifty-eight years of marriage until her passing in 1999. He married Alberta Faye MoneySmith on September 16, 2001. They were together nearly thirteen years until she passed away July 27, 2014. He was also preceded in death by a son, David Gene Poland. Survivors include his daughter, Cindy Wildman and companion Brian Cowvey of St. Louis, Missouri; three grandchildren, Ronald Wildman of Rockwall, Texas, Tammy Baldanza and husband Ryan "Sal" of Ballwin, Missouri and Aime Wildman and companion Mike Winick of Farmington, Missouri; five great-grandchildren, Salvatore and Anthony Baldanza, Lillian and Isabelle Staat and Amiee Wildman; four step-daughters, Pat Whitlatch and companion Mike of Knoxville, Iowa, Donna Miller and companion Lee of Conroe, Texas and Marlene Edwards and husband Jerry and Becky McCullum and husband David all of Chariton, Iowa; eleven step-grandchildren; ten step-great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and many friends. Gene was raised in McPherson, Kansas and graduated from High School there. He served his country proudly in the United States Army during World War II. He was awarded the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Word War II Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. After being honorably discharged he owned numerous service stations and body shops. He owned and operated GPJ, Inc. Fabrication Shop. Gene made a profession of faith and was a member of New Life Church of the Nazarene in Camdenton. In his spare time he enjoyed cars and doing sheet and metal fabrication. Most of all, time spent with his family and friends was precious to him. He was a loving father and grandfather and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he created for his family and friends. A private graveside service and military honors will be held in Dale Blair Memorial Cemetery. A visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, September 23, 2014 in Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to New Life Church of the Nazarene and left at the funeral home. Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton is assisting the family with arrangements.