Eileen Linda Gray Poling

She was born Friday, Sept. 19, 1952, at Tarentum, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Robert Sloan Gray and Marie Heineman Gray.

On June 14, 1975, at Leechburg, Pennsylvania, she was married to Porter Edward Poling, who survives. They had celebrated 49 and a half years of marriage.

Also surviving are one son, Edward Thomas Poling of Florida; one daughter, Christine Marie Ward and husband, Charles “Chuck” Jr., of Beverly; two sisters, Patricia Flaim and husband, Bruno, of Wyoming and Roberta Moxon of North Dakota; and three grandchildren, Claire Elise Poling, Aurora Lynne Poling and Hazel Marie Poling.

Preceding her in death is one sister, Diana Zilka.

She was a graduate of Kiski Area High School with the class of 1970 and a 1974 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, with a bachelor of science in elementary education. She obtained her masters in Elementary Education from West Virginia University, and later received gifted certification. She was a teacher at the schools of Tucker County and Glenville State, retiring in 2014.

One of her favorite pastimes was bowling, where she met the love of her life, her husband Ed, at the bowling alley at Parsons, West Virginia. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she was in the choir, Sunday school teacher and ran the vacation bible school for several years. She enjoyed traveling, and had been to several parts of Europe, Japan, Mexico and several other places. She was a wonderful piano player and enjoyed crochet.

Her passion, aside from watching the Pittsburg Pirates, was space. She had spent two summers at the Air Force Academy in Colorado with NASA, and even had the opportunity to experience NASA’s Zero Gravity Aircraft. She helped make Tucker Valley a NASA Explorer school for several years and was Solar System Ambassador for the State of West Virginia for several years. She loved being a schoolteacher and helped found the robotics program that is still in place.

Eileen loved her family, but the biggest enjoyment was spending time with her grandchildren.

Mrs. Poling’s request for cremation was honored. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Parsons, West Virginia. The Reverend Julie Davis will officiate. A memorial dinner will be held afterwards at the church.

The family suggest that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contribution to the First United Methodist Church, 101 1st Street, Parsons, WV 26287; or westvirginiacaring.org.

The Lohr & Barb Funeral is honored to be in charge of the arrangements for Eileen Linda Gray Poling.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.