Charles Bernard Poland

Charles Bernard Poland of Middleville, Michigan was blessed with 90 years on this earth. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather, brother, & uncle left this earth on January 13, 2014.

Charles was born in Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan on June 26, 1923. He grew up in Middleville working with his father and brothers in the logging industry in the West Michigan Area. Charles married Fern McNee in 1942. He is a veteran of the United States Army which he joined in 1945. He served in Hawaii during the rebuilding of Pearl Harbor. After leaving the Army Charles worked at various jobs including the county road commission, General Motors, and Middleville Engineering. He retired from Steelcase in April of 1985 after 20 years.

Charles built the home in which he raised his family, getting the logs from his father's farm. They lived there for 51 years. He loved working around the house, hunting, gardening, and had great passion for music. Charles loved his family deeply and he found great joy in socializing with family and friends. He was a member of the Middleville First Baptist Church and Hastings Free Methodist Church. Charles was an avid Tiger's fan.

He is survived by his wife Fern of 71 years; his children Larry (Sandra) Poland of Hastings, Beverly McDowell of Fort Worth TX, & Joyce (Charlie) Fisher of Woodland. Grandchildren; Lori (Brian) Buchanan, Sharon Huyser, Wade (Lori) Poland, Dan (Melissa) Fisher, Elizabeth (Chris) Miller; many Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren; Sisters Betty Olcott, Dorothy Dingman, & Doris Purdum and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents Daniel and Nina (Edger) Poland; his brothers Robert, William, George & Clifford; his sisters Mary Cramer, Elsie Clemens, Donna Moore, Henrietta Bradfield.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 16, 2014 at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI. Visitation 10am with funeral service at 11am. A luncheon will follow at First Baptist Church of Middleville, 5215 N M-37 Highway, Middleville, MI. A private burial will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Middleville, MI

Donations in Charles name may be made to Spectrum Hospice of Grand Rapids or the charity of one's choice.