George Polly

George Raymond Polly, Sr, age 82 years, husband, father, grandfather, fisherman, and master of the home shop died peacefully at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 with family gathered around at Cass County Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born on April 4, 1937 in Cherry Valley, Arkansas to James U. and Eva K. (Hiter) Polly. He came to Niles, Michigan with his family and attended Niles Community Schools. He was first employed at the former Michigan Mushroom plant in Niles, and then employed for many years at the former Buchanan, Michigan plant of Clark Equipment Company. After Clark left, he began selling tools made in the United States at Shipshewana and other markets. He and his wife lived in the same house in Howard Township for over sixty years.

George was a member of the United Auto Workers local union while employed at Clark’s. He enjoyed fishing area lakes and rivers, and going back to Arkansas, especially for the big catfish. At home, he maintained a great vegetable garden, kept the yard neat and attractive, and enjoyed cutting firewood. His home shop was often in carpentry mode, making bird and squirrel feeders, and repairing furniture. The shop was also well equipped with mechanic’s tools, and he was well-known for his ability to repair anything.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Eva Polly, daughters-in-law Jennifer Polly and Mildred Polly; and George’s twin brother, Henry Polly, and an infant brother, Edward Polly.

On August 25, 1956 at the First Presbyterian Church of Niles he married the former Mary A. Handley who survives. Also surviving are their sons, George (& Dawn) Polly, Jr. and Michael Polly, Sr, both of Niles; grandchildren Shawn (& Kayla) Polly, Mike (& Jessica) Polly, Jr., Aaron (& Kayla) Polly, Blayne (& Kelly) Brady, and Trent (& Sara) LaMonds; great-grandchildren Taiten, Brayden, Bentley, Bryson, Leah, Zoie, Toby, Daisy, Abigail, Zander, Tanner, Aubrey, Annabel, Kaylee, Braxton, Cooper, and Drake; and George’s sister, Betty Benison of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for George Polly, Sr. will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2019 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Gordie Fox of the First Church of Christ, Christian in Niles officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday at the funeral home beginning at Noon. Online condolences may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com

George had genuinely earned the title: “Jack of All Trades”, and had even ‘Mastered’ a few. But fixing things was mostly his way of caring for neighbors, relatives, and – most importantly – his family.