Shirley E. Doster Poling, 93, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 26, 2020, at home in Franklin, Tennessee, surrounded by family.
Shirley was born on Feb. 24, 1927, to Donald and Christina Gladys (Kohart) Hughes in Jackson, Michigan. Her family moved to Oakwood, Ohio, where she attended first through 12th grade. After graduation, Shirley attended Tiffin College through the U.S. War Department’s employee educational program. On Oct. 1, 1949, Shirley married Ivan Ray Doster, a fellow high school classmate. After their wedding they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they both worked at General Electric Co. Shirley and Ivan adopted two children, Vicki Doster (Col. USAF Retired) (Jim, Lt. Col. USAF Retired) of Freeport, Florida; and Steve Doster (Judy) of Fort Wayne, indiana, who survive her. Ivan preceded Shirley in death in 1957.
In 1967, Shirley married Maurice “Maury” D. Poling of Convoy, Ohio, and they had a daughter, Julie Poling Schenck (Jim) of Franklin, Tennessee, who survive. In 1993, Maurice preceded her in death. Shirley has four surviving grandchildren: Dr. Ryan Doster (Kristen) of Bellevue, Tennessee; Army Specialist Jason Doster of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Elizabeth Schenck and Emma Grace Schenck, both of Franklin, Tennessee. Also surviving Shirley are four stepchildren; six step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dale Hughes of Jackson, Michigan, and Lee Hughes of Dunnellan, Florida; and sister, Wilma Carpenter of Jackson, Michigan.
After the death of her husband Ivan, Shirley was a legal secretary at Medical Protective Company of Fort Wayne for about 10 years. Before moving to Franklin, Tennessee, to be close to her youngest daughter and her family, Shirley was active in St. Joseph Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Women’s Circle and the Builders Sunday school class. While living in Tennessee, Shirley and her lifelong friends Betty Marsh and Marge Roughton spoke almost daily on the phone. It was the highlight of many of her days. She also loved to stay busy with her hands, making exquisite cross-stitch works which were framed and given to family as well as getting crafty with card making. Shirley also enjoyed crocheting blankets, finishing her last blanket in December 2019. At the request of her dear friend and fabulous hairdresser, Elaine Thompson, her most recent blankets were baby blankets for Walker Baptist Church’s homeless outreach.
Visitation will be held in Franklin, Tennessee, on Monday, July 26, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home. Shirley will then be transported to Fort Wayne Indiana, for a graveside service and burial at Greenlawn Cemetery. The date and time of burial are currently being coordinated, and the service will be officiated by retired Pastor Fred Baughman, a lifelong family friend, at Greenlawn Cemetery.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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