Jerald Eugene Poling, 73, of State Center, died Monday, August 25, 2008, at Mary Greeley Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 28th, 2008, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest at a future date. Friends may call at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Born on February 5, 1935, in State Center, Iowa, he was the son of Kenneth and Cleo (Stock) Poling. Jerry graduated from State Center High School in 1953. He went on to serve our country in the United States Air Force from January of 1954 until November of 1957. On February 1, 1959, he married Phyllis Bernard in State Center. They divorced in 1969. For many years, he worked on the family mink farm. He was employed at Maish Plumbing and Heating from 1957-1966, then at Fisher Controls for 29 years. After retiring from Fisher Controls, he worked at Lincoln Valley Golf Course for 13 years. He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in State Center and a former member of the State Center Fire Department. Every fall for over 20 years, Jerry has enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapping. He also loved to ride snowmobiles and loved the outdoors. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and he will be remembered for being a social bug.

He is survived by his son, Jay Poling(friend Diana) of Omaha, NE; his grandson, Andy Poling of Omaha, NE; his companion of 16 years, Katie Lake of Marshalltown; his siblings, Sharon Abbas of Grundy Center, Carolee(Dennis) Volker of New Hampton, LeaAnn Hitchings of State Center, Allyn(Jeanette) Poling of Fremont, NE; Kenneth(Penny) Poling of Maplewood, MN, Rick Poling of Minneapolis, MN; his special friend, Debra Mason of Madison, WI; his sister-in-law, Lois Poling and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Cleo; and his brother, Larry, who died in 2005.