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Willodean (Willie) Louise (Hearld) Poley, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday morning, July 20, 2025.
She was born on October 26, 1928 in Sturgis, the daughter of the late Carol L. (Hanselman) Nelson and Theodore A. Hearld.
In her youth, Willie’s adventurous spirit shone through—she and some friends once skipped school and were hitchhiking when a handsome young man on leave from the Army Air Corps stopped to pick them up. It was love at first sight. That man was Orson F. Poley Jr., and they were married on June 22, 1946. They spent the next 73 wonderful years together.
Willie and Orson both worked for the Kirsch Company in Sturgis before owning and operating Poley’s Super Market, located across from the Sturgis Post Office, for 17 years. Willie later worked at Continental Can Company in Three Rivers, as well as Harding’s Market West and Save-A-Lot in Sturgis.
She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved gardening—both vegetables and flowers—bowling, playing cards (especially Euchre and Pinochle), and most of all, spending time with her family. She was an active member of the Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion Auxiliary in Sturgis, where she served as President, and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, participating in the Ladies Aide group.
Willie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Orson F. Poley Jr.; sons, Norman E. Poley and Orson F. Poley III; daughter, Cheryl (Sherry) Birkhold; granddaughter, Jennifer Dickerson-Sult; and her cousin who was like a sister to her, Dorothy Burk.
She is survived by her daughters, Teresa “Terri” Dickerson (Rick) and Carol Goymory; son-in-law: Michael Birkhold; grandchildren, Kimberly (Birkhold) Ellner, Amy (Birkhold) Fowler, Diana Dickerson-Weed, Cassondra “Casey” Wentworth, Nicholas Dickerson, Jason Wentworth, Earlin Cheeks, and Liam Dickerson-Sult; 19 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry her love and legacy forward.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating Willie’s life will begin at 11:00 with Rev. Kaleb Yaeger officiating. A graveside committal will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
• Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 230, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 (curealz.org), or
• Trinity Lutheran Church School, 406 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
