Claude "Gene" Eugene Poland

SERVICES: 1:00 p.m. Friday May 2, 2014 at Bethel Baptist Church OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Adam Carrigan FINAL RESTING PLACE: Garland Brook Mausoleum VISITATION: 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the church MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Bartholomew County Veterans Memorial Color Guard or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Claude Eugene "Gene" Poland, 87, of 16ht Street, died at 12:07 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility. Gene was born June 7, 1926 in Columbus, the son of Claude M. and Lottie Yeley Poland. He married Anna M. Jones Dec. 31, 1949 at Bethel Baptist Church by the Rev. Harry Mattingly. Gene was a member of Bethel Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee, a member of the Building Committee, a Deacon, and was a Cemetery Trustee of the Bethel Baptist Cemetery for many years. Gene served in the U.S. Army 30th Division during the second World War in France, Germany, Holland, and England. He then served as a Military Policeman at Camp Atterbury, guarding German Prisoners, taking them to work stations and then accompanying them on a train to return them to their homeland following the end of the war. Gene worked as a finish carpenter at Como, Carr Construction, Custom Built Homes, and was previously employed at Arvin Industries and at Cummins Engine Company prior to entering military service. Gene was a member of the American Legion Post 229 in Hope, Post 24 in Columbus, the VFW Post 1987 in Columbus, and was a Life Member of the DAV in Columbus. He served as a volunteer at the Atterbury Museum and at the August Celebrations at Camp Atturbury representing the U.S. Army 30th Division. 4-30-2009 INTERVIEW AT ATTERBURY Monday, September 26, 2005, 10:30 A.M., Camp Atterbury headquarters, Col. Stachel, retired; Claude was interviewed by Robinson Michael Sander, Germany. He asked Claude Eugene about his job guarding German prisoners in WWII at Atterbury. He showed us a map showing the thousands of POW camps in the U.S. He has been interviewing persons who guarded prisoners in order to prepare a write up about this. He lives in Germany close to the Dutch Border, 3 hours away from Hanover, Germany. One of his grandfathers fought the Russians. Another grandfather was in the Navy off the coast of France, his ship was sunk and he escaped to land and was captured by the French. Written by Anna Poland who was present at the interview. Survivors include his wife; a son, Gary W. (Cindy) Poland of Columbus; a daughter, Carol B. Wisler of North Vernon; grandchildren, Abraham E. Wisler, Melanie R. Wisler, Gary W. Poland Jr., and JoAnna G. Poland (John) Velten; great-grandchildren, Daniel Scott Wisler, Peyton Wisler and Quinn Velten; friends, Olivia England and Delany Hauersperger; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Kenneth Poland, Lawrence Poland, Francis Poland, Robert Poland and Donald Poland; sister, Pauline Poland Stuckey and Irene Poland Brownfield. Services were entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. You are invited to view his video tribute after 4 p.m. Thursday, light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the internet.