E. Mae Poland, 95 of Ashland passed away early Sunday morning, February 4, 2024 in University Hospital Samaritan Medical Center.
She was born on March 20, 1928 in Ashland, the daughter of the late Glenn and Daisy (nee Johnson) Houser.
Mae has been a lifelong resident of Ashland County. She went to grade school in Savannah and graduated from Ashland High School, Class of 1946.
After more than 48 years as a professional secretary she retired in 2002. For 31 years Mae was employed at Ashland City Schools, ten years at (then) Ashland College and seven years at Clear Creek Church of Christ.
Throughout her working years and retirement, Mae was a member and past-president of local Business & Professional Women and a member and past-president of International Association of Administrative Professionals-ASESIBA chapter. She was a member of the Ashland Christian Church and the Ashland County Senior Citizens.
In her life, Mae enjoyed traveling, crocheting, knitting, and her beloved (and impressively fat) cat, Oscar. Mae loved to watch NASCAR races and claims to have read every Danielle Steele book ever.
More than anything, she loved spending time with her family.
Mae is survived by her daughter, Sherri Mae Strine; her son, Floyd “Chip” (Jane) Poland; five grandchildren, Sonja Mae (Jared) Crooks, Cari (Scott) Engelhardt, Tara (Josh) Kemp, Courtney (Zach) Ringler, and Matthew (Trista) Poland; nine great grandchildren, Isaac and Stella Mae Crooks, Grace Engelhardt, Oliver and Harrison Kemp, Nick Poland, and Ava, Kenley, and Foster Ringler; and a sister-in-law, Doris Houser.
In addition to her parents, Mae is preceded in death by five brothers, Dick (Vena), Guy (Lorene), Earl (Jeanette), Ralph (JoAnn) and David Houser.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Scott Chastain presiding. Interment will be in the Ashland County Memorial Park at a later date. Friends may call Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1021 Dauch Drive, Ashland, OH 44805 or The Cat Feline Sanctuary, 1130 E Main Street, #136 Ashland, OH 44805. An extra special thank you to the ladies at Sunshine Home Healthcare.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com