Marvin E. Poling

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Marvin E. Poling, age 73, of rural Tamaroa, Ill., passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 9:50 a.m. in his home.

Marvin was born on Oct. 3, 1936 in Du Quoin, Ill., a son to Carl E. and Ella E. (Spohn) Poling. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served as a tank driver during the Korean War. Just over 50 years ago, on Dec. 12, 1959, he married Ema Jean Logan in Holts Prairie Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. and she survives. He had retired as a coal miner with Arch of Illinois after 30 years of service. Marvin was a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church, Du Quoin Ill., where he had served as a trustee and a song leader since the church was founded. He was also a member of the U.M.W.A. In his youth he was an excellent athlete. In his lifetime, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking and gardening and dearly loved spending time with his family, especially his grandsons.

Survivors include his wife, Ema Jean Poling of rural Tamaroa, Ill.; a son, Phil (Janet) Poling of Pinckneyville, Ill.; three brothers, Carl (Ruth) Poling of Houston, Tex., Dwayne (Nicki) Poling of Houston, Tex. and Raymond Poling of Steutor, Ill.; a sister, Nila Swallers of Du Quoin, Ill.; two grandsons, Eric Poling of Boston, Mass. and Wesley Poling of Carbondale, Ill.; two step-grandchildren, Chuck (Paige) Leonard, Sr. of Pittsburg, Ill. and Danielle (Kyle) Ridgeway of Benton, Ill. and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were held in Philadelphia Baptist Church, Du Quoin, Ill. on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Gary Smith officiating. Interment was in Holts Prairie Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends called at Pyatt Funeral Home, Du Quoin, Ill. on Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday at Philadelphia Baptist Church, Du Quoin, Ill. from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Philadelphia Baptist Church Building Fund.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.