Mary M. (Stimmel) Poling

     Mary M. Poling, age 99, of Boyne City, Michigan formerly of St. Johns and Mt. Pleasant passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023, with her family by her side.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating. A private family burial will take place at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 2:00-4:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

     Mary was born in Perry County, Ohio on October 13, 1923, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Wolfe) Stimmel. She married Clyde R. Poling on March 8, 1942. He preceded her in death on April 14, 1990.

     Once married, Mary followed Clyde to Riverside, California while he served in the US Air Force for over three years, and she lived with him on base picking up various jobs in fashion and modeling. Soon after Clyde’s discharge they settled in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Here they began building their family with the addition of a daughter, Nancy.

     Mary became an active member of First Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant while also working at JC Penney’s followed by Post Pharmacy and raising her daughter. In 1981, after Clyde’s retirement, Mary and Clyde moved to St. Johns, Michigan to be closer to their now married daughter and her growing family. While in St Johns, Mary became a highly engaged member of First Baptist Church and a very involved grandmother to her two granddaughters and their growing families – including her first great granddaughter.

      In 2021– Mary once again relocated to be closer to family, this time in Boyne City, Michigan. While in Boyne City Mary became active in her lady’s prayer group at the Brook Assisted Living Community and continued to watch her family grow; with the addition of her first great-great grandson.

     Mary is survived by two granddaughters: Tracey (Mark) Yallup of Boyne City, MI; and Missy (Jesse) Leverett of Petoskey, MI; two great-granddaughters: Ashley (Branden) Wheeler and Clover Leverett; a great-great grandson Wren Wheeler; also several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Nancy Hundey, her brother Paul Stimmel, and two sisters: Lucille Henry and Helen Boyer.

      The family wishes to express their appreciation to Hospice of Northern Michigan & the Brook Assisted Living Community of Boyne City.

      Memorials may be made to the St. Johns First Baptist Church or Hospice of Northern Michigan.  Online condolences can be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.