Samuel Jaye Pooley, age 64, of Blissfield, died Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at Hospice of Lenawee, Adrian in the presence of his loving family. He was born November 24, 1952, in Adrian, Michigan to Jaye R. and Ardith (Rice) Pooley.
He graduated from Blissfield High School in 1970. Sam served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, from 1970-1973. He attended Siena Heights College part time until 1976 and graduated from the Michigan basic police academy. Following graduation from the academy, Sam became a full time police officer for the Village of Blissfield and later graduated from the Michigan advanced police academy.
In addition to serving as a police officer Sam enjoyed his many years of community service work. As a member of the Blissfield American Legion, Post #325, Sam served several years as the Post Chaplain. He also served 7 years with the local Jaycee chapter serving as both Vice President and President. On the Jaycee State Board of Directors he served as the Lenawee County Director, the Four County Regional Director, and the State Public Speaking Director (thanks to the teaching of Judy Mershon). Sam spent four more years on the state board serving as the State Elections Chair, State Vice President in charge of Community Development, and two years raising funds for the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island being recognized by the US Jaycees as the outstanding Statue of Liberty State Chairman in America.
Sam enjoyed several long trips on his motorcycles, taking his grandchildren with him while doing Meals on Wheels and years of service with Michigan Right to Life. Service to God was also important to Sam. He raised his family at the Wellsville United Methodist Church while serving in many leadership positions. After retiring from the police department in 2012 Sam became a Methodist pastor serving both Wellsville and Deerfield churches for three years.
In addition to his wife, Julie, Sam is survived by a son, William Pooley of Blissfield; two daughters, Elizabeth (Brad) Tennant of Blissfield and Emily Pooley of Blissfield; a brother, Perry (Wendy) Pooley of Palmyra; a sister, Dawn (Greg) Hanes of Reno, Nevada; three grandchildren, Peyton, Braedyn and Nevaeh; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Father and Mother-in-law, William J. and Elsa Klenk, brothers-in-law William C. Klenk and Jack Belair, and niece Jillian Keefer.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield with Pastors Lawson Crane and David McKinstry co-officating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield with military rights at the cemetery conducted by the Blissfield American Legion Post #325 and the Blissfield V.F.W. Post #10912. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. and again on Sunday, February 26, 2017 from 2:00 –6:00 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wellsville United Methodist Church, the Blissfield American Legion, Post #325 or Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.