By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
12 Comments
  • Visitation

    Memorial Visitation:

    Saturday, February 23, 2019

    12:00 to 4:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

    • Full Obituary

      Sandy Poelker, 65, of Highland, IL, died Thursday, February 14, 2019 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

      Sandy was born March 27, 1953, to Ferdie and Sally (nee Wobbe) Steiner at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, IL.  On August 30, 1975, she married Tom Poelker, at St. Paul Church in Highland.

      Sandy was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and the ABATE Motorcycle Club.  She loved riding her motorcycles and has been riding side by side with her husband for 25 years.

      Sandy loved her family, and had a great love for her cats; taking in those that no one else wanted.  She was a good person, and was devoted to her niece and nephew and great nieces and nephews.  Thirty four years ago she met a little boy in Mexico and befriended him and his family.  Their friendship remains close to this day.

      Sandy is survived by her husband, Tom Poelker, Highland, IL; mother, Sally Steiner, Highland, IL; sister, Vicky (Mike) Kirchoff, Highland, IL; nephew, Cory (Shelley) Kirchoff; niece, Amy (Reubin) McGuffin; great nieces and nephews, Ali & Tyler McGuffin, Cameron & Kaila Kirchoff; and her eight beloved fur babies.

      She was preceded in death by her father, Ferdie Steiner (July 4, 1990).

      Memorials may be made to her adopted family in Mexico, the Justo Martinez Alcocer Family.

      Memorial Visitation: Saturday, February 23, 2019, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

      Interment: At a later date.

      Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

    Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

    12 Condolences
     
    1. Ione K. Pence / February 15, 2019 at 7:27 pm

      A dear friend for many years and a fellow animal-lover. Her kindness will be missed.

    2. Brandi Brown / February 16, 2019 at 10:49 am

      She had a fiery spirit but a gentle love like no other. Her compassion for animals is how we met and she introduced me to many other wonderful people, this will NEVER be forgotten. Love and prayers to her family and all her knew her.

    3. Allen menietti / February 16, 2019 at 3:29 pm

      Tom you have my heartfelt sympathy and Prayers from me and my family.

    4. Brittney Bracken / February 16, 2019 at 4:48 pm

      Sandy was a friend of my mom’s. I remember after my mom got sick and the cancer took her, Sandy told me that she promised my mom she’s look out for me, and every year on my birthday after that until the day i turned 18 she had a little something for me. She always came to my family’s Christmas Cheer parties, and her laugh was infectous. I regret that i didn’t take the time to get to kniw her better than i did, and i will miss her dearly.

    5. Bob Tebbe / February 16, 2019 at 6:17 pm

      Tom,Sorry for your loss

    6. Yumi Hohm / February 17, 2019 at 9:39 pm

      Tom, sorry for your loss. The shelter world has definitely lost a special person.

    7. Anita Zurliene / February 20, 2019 at 11:39 am

      Sorry for you loss Tom! I was so shocked when I saw this. Sandy was one of a kind that I had the pleasure to work with for several years and got to know. I enjoyed those days. One of her favorite sayings to me was . . . you can never be to skinny, to dark or to rich. She had it all!!!!

    8. Janice Hostmeyer / February 22, 2019 at 7:14 pm

      So sorry for you loss of your loved one Tom. You and your family will be in our prayers. Take care!

    9. Michael Kleinhoffer / February 22, 2019 at 7:28 pm

      To Tom, the Poelker and Kirchoff Families.

      Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for your loss of your beautiful Sandy.

      Sandy was sweet, loving, contemporary, independent and loved God’s furry creatures as much as she loved (most) humans.

      Always tan, blonde, smiling and a true natural on a motorcycle (!). That girl could ride!

      We will always remember Sandy as a beautiful flower child of the 60’s. She never seemed to lose her youthful attitude – young at heart always.

      Sandy was a cool chick, period.

      We are so grateful to have known & grown up with Sandy. She filled our lives with fun, smiles and beautiful memories. A part of “our gang” as we all tried to figure it all out during our young adulthood. A friend for life.

      Heaven is lucky.

      Loving thoughts and prayers for Sandy and the Poelker & Kirchoff Families during this difficult time.

      With deepest sincerity,

      The Kleinhoffer Family

    10. TINA CALLICO/VINCENT / February 23, 2019 at 9:32 am

      SANDY, I’M SURE GOING TO MISS YOU GIRL.
      I MET SANDY SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN I VOLUNTEERED AT THE HIGHLAND ANIMAL SHELTER, SHE AND I ALWAYS HAD GOOD TALKS AND GREAT LAUGHS. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE CAT LOVER MYSELF, AND MY LOVE FOR CATS IS WHAT STARTED A GREAT FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN SANDY AND I AT THE SHELTER.

      MY DEAREST SANDY, THE TIMES WE’VE SHARED TOGETHER ALWAYS STAYED IN MY HEART AND MEMORY. I ALWAYS THOUGHT OF YOU QUITE OFTEN. THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO IN WALMART IT SEEMED LIKE,

      I WAS STUNNED WHEN DALE TOOK ME SHOPPING AND TOLD ME YOU HAD CROSSED OVER RIGHT ON VALENTINE’S DAY! HE COULDN’T HAVE WAITED UNTIL WE GOT BACK HOME SO INSTEAD I’M CHOKING BACK THE HURTFULNESS AS I HAD TO GO INTO EACH STORE ON THE NIGHT OF 2/23/19 AS THAT’ THE DAY HE FOUND OUT THAT THE HEAVENS GAINED ANOTHER ANGEL THAT WAS HUGE A PART OF ME AND STAYED WITH ME EVEN AFTER I WAS NO LONGER AT THE SHELTER.

      I JUST CANNOT WRAP MY HEAD AROUND YOU NOT BEING HERE ON EARTH ANY LONGER. I THINK REALITY OF IT ALL WILL HIT ME TODAY( 2/23/19) THOUGH. BUT RIGHT NOW I JUST CAN’T BELIEVE IT.

      I SEND ALL MY PRAYERS AND LOVE TO YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND FRIENDS. NOW WHEN YOU GET TO HEAVEN PLEASE GIVE ALL OF MY PETS WHO CROSSED OVER LOTS OF LOVE AND KISSES FOR MEM TELL THEM I LOVE AND MISS THEM. THANK YOU.

      MY CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS REALLY DO GO OUT TO SANDY’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS, SANDY WAS 1 HECK OF A GREAT PERSON AND I AM BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN HER AND TO HAVE HAD HER IN MY LIFE. MAY SHE NOW R.I.P. HERE ON EARTH BUT LET HER SOUL FLY HIGH SO CAN BE WITH HER FURBABY ANGELS AND RIDE HER BIKE TOO. LOVE YOU POELKER, ALWAYS N FOREVER IN MY HEART, SOUL AND MIND. YOU WERE MY ONCE TRUE FRIEND, HATED WE HAD TO SEPARATE.

    11. James Firkus / February 23, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      Tom, I just head about Sandy’s passing. Very sad day indeed. Although time and miles have separated us, she was our friend. Sandy and I spent our years growing up together as we went through school. Once in a while on trips back to Highland, we would “run in” to you and Sandy. A great feeling to see old friends.
      We’re sorry for your loss, and the loss we all have.

      Joe & Toni Firkus

    12. Laura Jones / June 1, 2019 at 9:26 pm

      I just learned of Sandy’s passing. I would see her at Petsmart, and she would help with some placements at Highland for us rescuers. She was a a wonderful, loving person with a huge heart. We were all blessed to know her. Laura Jones

    Leave a Condolence or Memory: