Kevin Poling

SIDNEY -- Kevin Edward Poling, age 40 was called to Heaven on Friday, January 28, 2022. He is survived by his devoted wife, Chris (Ricketts) Poling, his parents, Ken and Cindy (Primiano) Poling, his mother-in-law, Phyllis (Atkinson) Ricketts, two sister-in-laws, Cathy Ricketts and Stephanie Berridge (husband Roger) and nieces Lily and Sorcha Berridge. He was proceded in death by his father-in-law and close friend, Steve Ricketts.

Kevin was born in Sidney, Ohio, on January 29, 1981. He attended Kiddieland Preschool, Sidney City Schools, Sidney Christian Academy and Dayton Academy, graduating from Sidney High School and Upper Valley JVS, with a certification in Law Enforcement, in May 1999. He continued his studies at various times, attending Edison Community College, Hocking Tech, Sinclair Community College and Miami Jacobs.

He met the love of his life, Christina Ricketts, at Hocking Technical School. They were married in a period wedding on August 10, 2013, at the Overfield Tavern Museum in Troy, Ohio. They resided in various places around central Ohio until eventually returning to Sidney. Kevin worked for several agencies as an armed private security supervisor and also as a Corrections Officer in Montgomery County. His most recent position was that of a firearms salesman for Rural King in Huber Heights. Kevin was exceptionally patient and understanding, which made him an excellent teacher, something that he particularly enjoyed. Kevin's passion was training people on the safe use of firearms and on learning the operation and maintenance procedure for any firearm that he encountered. Kevin served in the State Guard of Ohio and, following 9/11, assisted, for a time, securing the Davis- Bessie Nuclear Power Plant on Lake Erie. Kevin was completely apolitical but was able to recognize ineffective and questionable politicians of any party. Kevin had little interest in sports, with the exception of target shooting. As such, he was a long-standing member of both the New Bremen Rod and Gun Club and Piqua Fish and Game. Kevin and Chris were dedicated historical reenactors, particularly of the Ohio Frontier period, so much so, that they formed a company, Forgotten Voices of the Past, where they crafted and traded in period clothing accessories and campsite items.

Kevin and Chris were both deeply involved in 4H, as instructors in shooting sports and archery.

Kevin was an avid video and board gamer, his favorite board game being Dungeons and Dragons, which he played happily, with a group of close friends. Kevin was a perennial favorite of any young children that he met, most especially his nieces and young cousins, who all viewed him as a gentle giant. Kevin will be sorely missed by our old tomcat, Manny, who took on the role as Kevin's protector, screening all the occupational and physical therapists and home health nurses, that visited our home and being Kevin's constant companion. Since he was little, Kevin had a special relationship with his mom and throughout his life, they communicated in a way that required very little spoken language. Kevin possessed a strong Christian faith and served on a number of aid missions outside the US. He traveled several times to help on the Cree Indian reservation in central Canada and twice went to Mexico, to assist in the construction of an orphanage. On a mission trip to Guatemala, he was especially moved when he saw the reaction of prison inmates, when he witnessed to them about his faith. Any person who had the privileged to encounter Kevin, during his curtailed life, surely left the experience a richer person.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 7, 2022, at 1:00 PM at Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home with Pastor Kris Geise, officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Sidney. The family will receive friends on Monday from 11: 00 AM until the time of service.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cromesfh.com