Edward Andres Poole

Edward Andres Poole, 95, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday July 4, 2021 in Kalamazoo at the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence.

He was born March 1, 1926 in Deckerville, Michigan, the son of the late Thomas Poole and Blanche (Ward) Poole.  He was united in marriage to his loving wife of 70 years, Elaine (Cleland) Poole on September 9, 1950.

Ed graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) with his Bachelor’s Degree and he and Elaine moved to Marcellus where he taught agriculture and wood shop at Marcellus High School.  In 1954 he joined the US Army where he served at Drake Army Base in Tokyo, Japan and achieved the rank of Sergeant.  After he was discharged from the Army, Ed went back to MSU to obtain his Masters of Educational Administration.  Following the completion of his Master’s Degree, Ed took a job teaching high school agriculture and wood shop in Mt. Pleasant.  He began working for the MSU Cooperative Extension Service in 1959 as Isabella County 4-H Youth Agent.  In 1964, the family moved to Ann Arbor where Ed became the Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Agent.  The family moved to Paw Paw In 1967 where he became the Van Buren County 4-H Youth Agent.   He retired from MSU in 1989.  Ed was a past president of the National 4-H Youth Agents Association.  He served on the board of the Van Buren County Youth Fair for many years. In 1974, Ed was one of the first patients to receive cardiac bypass surgery at Borgess Hospital.  Ed was an avid sports fan; it was no secret that he was a diehard Spartan.  He loved watching college football as well as watching the Detroit Tigers play baseball and listening to Ernie Harwell.  In his spare time, Ed enjoyed reading and keeping a journal. He also took pride in woodworking and maintaining a meticulous yard and flower beds.

Edward is survived by his wife of 70 years, Elaine, two daughters, Laurie Sindelar (Mark) and Andrea “Dee Dee” McClain (James); one son, Scott Poole (Marcia); eight grandchildren:  Stephanie Wilber (Mike), Michelle Swenson (Justin), Jeff Stull (Lindsay), Bryan Stull, Lauren Cutting (Mike), Brennan McClain, Andrew Poole and Justin Poole, seven great-grandchildren and his sister, Margaret Whittaker.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Marian Bartley.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 13, 2021, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm.  at the Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Ave., Paw Paw. Interment will take place privately at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date.

The family would like to thank everyone at Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan for the care and compassion they showed to Ed and his family.  Special thanks to Larry RN and Rosie.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the Paw Paw United Methodist Church.