Clifford Poland

ROCKWELL | Clifford Merle Poland, 90, from Rockwell, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, at his home in Sun City, Ariz.

Funeral services will be held at the Rockwell United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with Pastor John Scherb officiating along with the Rev. Robert Dodge, pastor of Britt United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Bill Poland, assistant to the bishop of the United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

Visitation will be held Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Rockwell. Interment will be at the Alexander Cemetery, Alexander, Iowa.

Clifford was born to Walter and Hilda (Thompson) Poland on March 1, 1923, in Gladbrook, and baptized into the United Brethren Church. He graduated from Gladbrook High School and attended Northwestern University in Illinois where he was trained as a Navy radioman. He served in the Navy on an LST ship in the Pacific during WWII as a radioman and was honorably discharged in 1946. Clifford returned to the M & St. L Railroad as a telegrapher/agent serving several communities during his 40 years.

He was united in marriage to Dorothy Bell from Alexander, Iowa, on June 23, 1946, at the bride's parent's home due to the unexpected fire in the local Methodist church.

He served his community as commander of the Rockwell American Legion, was a charter member of the Rockwell Lion's Club receiving a 50-year Membership Award from the International President of the Lion's Club, treasurer of the Rockwell/Swaledale school board, and served in several capacities at the United Methodist Church in Rockwell being an Iowa Conference delegate, and helping to build and finance the Alexander and Rockwell, Iowa, Methodist churches. He also delivered "meals on wheels" serving the Rockwell community, he enjoyed working the telegraph in the depot at the Franklin County Fair for many years and taught fellow telegraphers working at the M & St. L Railroad.

Clifford enjoyed gardening, fishing trips to Canada, touring throughout the U.S. and Canada, working in his wood shop and he especially enjoyed his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of 67 years, two sons, Greg (Lori) of Surprise, Ariz., and Merle (Karen) of Cedar Falls, Iowa; five grandchildren: Jenelle Klesel (Dennis) of Naperville, Ill., Chris Poland (Annie) of Ames, Iowa, Michael Poland of Louisville, Ky., Kate Poland of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Drew Poland of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and two step-grandsons: Jeff McDonald of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Chris McDonald of Huntington Beach, Calif.; five great-grandchildren: Brenna, Emily and Grace Klesel, and Jamie and Evan Poland; two step-great-grandsons: Michael Riddell and Christopher McDonald, Jr.; sisters in-law: Luverne Bell, Inez Ginapp, Lavonne Card, Arlene DeFoor and Dell Poland; brother-in-law: Dallas Card, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Hilda; father- and mother-in-law Lewis and Dora Bell; brothers, Lloyd, Richard and Lawrence; five brothers-in-law: Glen Neal, Eldon Bell, Kenet Ginapp, Willie Pals, and Irving DeFoor; two sisters in-law: Erma Neal, and Alma Pals and nieces and nephews.

Retz Funeral Home, Sheffield, 641-892-4241, www.retzfh.com.