Merl Leroy Poling
May 18, 2025 at 3:49 p.m.
Merl Leroy Poling, 95, of Warsaw, passed away with his sons by his side on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Warsaw.
Merl was born on March 23, 1930, to Ralph and Letha Lea Poling in Portland, Ind. He had a sister, Katherine (William) Stoker. He attended Portland High School before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1948-1952 during the Korean War. Following his military career, he worked for United Telephone Company from 1952-1988 and retired there. While there he started as a lineman and ended as a supervisor.
He lived on Chapman Lake for 59 years and wintered in either Laguna Beach, Calif., or Orange Beach, Ala. He enjoyed anything outdoors from bicycling to paddle boating where he would clean up trash from the lake, one beer can at a time. He used to give his grandkids the “grand tour” around the lake on his boat. He was an incredible woodworker and builder. He loved to spend any extra time with his companion, Polly, traveling or dancing. He was very proud of his military career and worked on the landing ship tank USS 1153 (USS Talbot County) as a Machinist Mate 3rd (MM3). He was a member of the Saint Peter’s United Church of Christ in South Bend, the Moose Lodge, IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and was also a member of the American Legion for 75 years. He was a man of many talents and always had a great story to tell.
Merl (Papp as he was known by family) was blessed to be loved by so many including his companion, life partner and best friend, Polly A. Hooker, of South Bend; sons, Steve Poling and Mark (Tracey Brown Grose) Poling, both of Warsaw; grandchildren: Amie (Zach) Nelson, Amanda (Jason) Waddle, Mark B. (Amanda) Poling, Kara (Ben) Grubbs, all of Warsaw; and Brice (Stephanie) Poling, of Plymouth. In addition, Merl is survived by 16 great-grandchildren: Reed, Grady, Darline and Waldo Nelson; Kanton, Claire and Lyla Jane Waddle; Corbin Poling, Dylan, Tinley and Chevy Grubbs; and Steven, Harrison, David, Kate and Jace Poling. Also loved as his own: Patrick (Marsha, Danika and Dalton) Hooker, of Broomfield, Colo.; Paula (Tim and Audrey) Schrieber, of Tucson, Ariz.; David (Rachael, Maci and Paul) Sample, of Indianapolis.
Merl was preceded in death by his parents, sister and daughter-in-law, Kay Poling.
A visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20 at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 Sheridan St., Warsaw. Funeral services in celebration of Merl’s life will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21 with visitation starting an hour prior in the funeral chapel with Pastor Tim Kumfer officiating. Burial services will be held privately for family only at a later date.
The family kindly requests memorial donations to: American Legion Post 49, 301 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or the Chapman Lakes Conservation Association, P.O. Box 776, Warsaw, IN 46581-0776.
To leave a condolence, please visit www.TitusFuneralHome.com.
Merl Leroy Poling, 95, of Warsaw, passed away with his sons by his side on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Warsaw.
Merl was born on March 23, 1930, to Ralph and Letha Lea Poling in Portland, Ind. He had a sister, Katherine (William) Stoker. He attended Portland High School before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1948-1952 during the Korean War. Following his military career, he worked for United Telephone Company from 1952-1988 and retired there. While there he started as a lineman and ended as a supervisor.
He lived on Chapman Lake for 59 years and wintered in either Laguna Beach, Calif., or Orange Beach, Ala. He enjoyed anything outdoors from bicycling to paddle boating where he would clean up trash from the lake, one beer can at a time. He used to give his grandkids the “grand tour” around the lake on his boat. He was an incredible woodworker and builder. He loved to spend any extra time with his companion, Polly, traveling or dancing. He was very proud of his military career and worked on the landing ship tank USS 1153 (USS Talbot County) as a Machinist Mate 3rd (MM3). He was a member of the Saint Peter’s United Church of Christ in South Bend, the Moose Lodge, IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and was also a member of the American Legion for 75 years. He was a man of many talents and always had a great story to tell.
Merl (Papp as he was known by family) was blessed to be loved by so many including his companion, life partner and best friend, Polly A. Hooker, of South Bend; sons, Steve Poling and Mark (Tracey Brown Grose) Poling, both of Warsaw; grandchildren: Amie (Zach) Nelson, Amanda (Jason) Waddle, Mark B. (Amanda) Poling, Kara (Ben) Grubbs, all of Warsaw; and Brice (Stephanie) Poling, of Plymouth. In addition, Merl is survived by 16 great-grandchildren: Reed, Grady, Darline and Waldo Nelson; Kanton, Claire and Lyla Jane Waddle; Corbin Poling, Dylan, Tinley and Chevy Grubbs; and Steven, Harrison, David, Kate and Jace Poling. Also loved as his own: Patrick (Marsha, Danika and Dalton) Hooker, of Broomfield, Colo.; Paula (Tim and Audrey) Schrieber, of Tucson, Ariz.; David (Rachael, Maci and Paul) Sample, of Indianapolis.
Merl was preceded in death by his parents, sister and daughter-in-law, Kay Poling.
A visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20 at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 Sheridan St., Warsaw. Funeral services in celebration of Merl’s life will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21 with visitation starting an hour prior in the funeral chapel with Pastor Tim Kumfer officiating. Burial services will be held privately for family only at a later date.
The family kindly requests memorial donations to: American Legion Post 49, 301 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or the Chapman Lakes Conservation Association, P.O. Box 776, Warsaw, IN 46581-0776.
To leave a condolence, please visit www.TitusFuneralHome.com.