Sandra Kay Poling

Sandra “Sandy” Kay Poling, 73, of Merrillville, Indiana, passed away on March 7, 2025, in Merrillville. Sandy was born in Gary, Indiana to Clifton and Stella Broadaway on October 20, 1951. Sandy graduated from Merrillville High School in 1969 before becoming a paramedic and Assistant Chief for Merrillville EMS. She married William Poling on June 20, 1981. She also worked as an EMT for Burns Funeral Home, as a registrar for Broadway Methodist Hospital, and for Dr. Barai as a medical biller. Her family was the most important part of her life. She loved Christmas, arts and crafts, and baking cookies for special occasions. Sandy was an ardent supporter for all her children. She was her son John’s biggest champion and would eagerly wait at the front of the crowd at Midway Airport for her son’s return from overseas deployments to give the most loving hugs, which will be heavily missed. Sandy was also consistently enthusiastic about her son Adam’s culinary and artistic hobbies. She would sit on her front porch waiting for her children to arrive home to visit and would illuminate with love and happiness when they pulled into the driveway. Sandy also loved hearing of her children’s day-to-day life. She loved lunches and shopping trips with her daughter Ashley and enjoyed their daily phone calls to talk about the day’s happenings, crafts, and the occasional chat with her daughter’s cat, Breyer. Sandy is preceded in death by Clifton (Stella) Broadaway, Lois Braswell, Jack Broadaway, Thomas Broadaway, and Jim Broadaway. Sandy is survived by her husband William Poling, children John (Brittney) Poling, Adam Poling, Ashley Poling (Steve Smithrud), siblings Mary Ann Yerga, Sue Stack, Jennifer (Ed) Martin, Joseph (Pam) Broadaway, Michelle (Paul) Nickla, Deborah Wright, In-laws Patricia Poling-Belew, Donald (Debbie) Poling, and Ken (Tami) Stowers. Her husband and children welcome her immediate family to the family residence on Saturday, March 15, 2025, for a familial celebration of life beginning at 1pm. The family will have a celebration of life for friends and family at Chetnik Memorial Hall in Schererville on April 26, 2025, from 2–5pm. [A personal message from her husband] To my wife, may she now rest in peace, I am missing you so much. After 43 years together, you were taken away from me too early. I think of all the things we have done together and all the things we wanted to do and I have various mixed emotions. There were things that we did together, like having an absolutely wonderful family, making a great life for ourselves, and seeing things that were just fascinating and wonderful. You were my rock and confidante when times got rough. I could tell you my deepest thoughts and you had a way to take away my pain. I can only hope that I was able to pay you back as much as you gave me. You were there for me through thick and thin and never complained about doing so; You were always there for me. I only wish I could have done more for you and taken away your pain as this horrible disease attacked you. I have loved you so much and your absence has created a deep hole in my heart which seems like it will take forever to heal. I know that you are no longer in pain, and I look forward to seeing you again when my time comes to join you. Please rest easy and know that I love you more than I could have ever expressed. I am secure in knowing that you felt the same way about about me. Til we meet again, I love you and miss you so much. www.burnsfuneral.com.

Sandra Kay Poling

October 20, 1951 - March 7, 2025