April 4, 1937 — Dec. 3, 2019

George Raymond Polly Sr., 82, husband, father, grandfather, fisherman and master of the home shop died peacefully at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, with family gathered around at Cass County Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born on April 4, 1937, in Cherry Valley, Arkansas, to James U. and Eva K. (Hiter) Polly.

He came to Niles with his family and attended Niles Community Schools.

He was first employed at the former Michigan Mushroom plant, in Niles, and then employed for many years at the former Buchanan plant of Clark Equipment Company.

After Clark left, he began selling tools made in the U.S. at Shipshewana and other markets. He and his wife lived in the same house in Howard Township for more than 60 years.

George was a member of the United Auto Workers local union while employed at Clark’s. He enjoyed fishing area lakes and rivers and going back to Arkansas, especially for the big catfish.

At home, he maintained a great vegetable garden, kept the yard neat and attractive, and enjoyed cutting firewood. His home shop was often in carpentry mode, making bird and squirrel feeders, and repairing furniture. The shop was also well equipped with mechanic’s tools, and he was well-known for his ability to repair anything.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Eva Polly; daughters-in-law, Jennifer Polly and Mildred Polly; and George’s twin brother, Henry Polly, and an infant brother, Edward Polly.

On Aug. 25, 1956, at the First Presbyterian Church, of Niles, he married the former Mary A. Handley, who survives.

Also surviving are their sons, George (Dawn) Polly Jr. and Michael Polly Sr., both of Niles; grandchildren, Shawn (Kayla) Polly, Mike (Jessica) Polly Jr., Aaron (Kayla) Polly, Blayne (Kelly) Brady and Trent (Sara) LaMonds; great-grandchildren, Taiten, Brayden, Bentley, Bryson, Leah, Zoie, Toby, Daisy, Abigail, Zander, Tanner, Aubrey, Annabel, Kaylee, Braxton, Cooper and Drake; and George’s sister, Betty Benison, of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for George Polly Sr. will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., in Niles, with Pastor Gordie Fox of the First Church of Christ, Christian in Niles officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday at the funeral home beginning at noon. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

George had genuinely earned the title: “Jack of All Trades,” and had even ‘Mastered’ a few. But fixing things was mostly his way of caring for neighbors, relatives and — most importantly — his family.