Obituary of Charles Poland

Charles Poland, age 87, of Flint died Saturday, October 31, 2015. The funeral service will take place 1:00 pm, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at the First Baptist Church of Clio. Pastor Jim Marcus will officiate with burial to follow at Flint Memorial Park with graveside military honors. Charles’ family will be present at the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Genesee Twp., to receive friends on Friday from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm. On Saturday, Charles will be taken to church to lie in state from 10:00 am until time of service at 1:00 pm. Those desiring may consider memorial contributions to the Hospice House of Shiawassee County. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and church. Charles was born April 20, 1928, in Mercer County, Illinois, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Maurice and Helen (Freeman) Poland. He proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years during the Korean War, earning a Korean service medal with two campaign stars. Charles received his honorable discharge on January 1, 1952, at Camp Carson, Colorado. While at a restaurant, he met the love of his life, Betty Lou Potter. Charles and Betty were united in marriage on November 7, 1959, at the Genesee Baptist Church, in Genesee. Charles worked as a manager for Gilroy’s Hardware Store on Davison Rd., in Flint, for 30 years until it closed. He was a member of the VFW Post #8236 in Flint, and a proud supporter of the National Federation of the Blind. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, watching the nightly news and Westerns, tinkering around the house, working and traveling all around the United States to attend his nephew’s wrestling tournaments. Left to cherish his memory, wife Betty; niece, Yalanda (Kirk) Young; great-nephew: James (Jessica Potter) Garrett and their children: James Luke Potter and Lana Marie Potter; extended family: Steve Johnson, Peggy Johnson and Betty Wood; three sisters-in-law: Helen Palmer, Frances Palmer and Jan Bradley and her children: Danny and Matt Bradley; special friends: Grace and Pam Larson. Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jack Poland.