Carl Robert Poikonen
July 14, 1944 to Sept. 24, 2015
Carl Robert Poikonen, 71, of Anderson died at his residence Sept. 24, 2015 after a sudden illness.
He was born July 14, 1944, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, to Carl U. and Ora Lee (Fugate) Poikonen. However, he was raised in Racine, Wisconsin.
He taught and coached in the East Noble School Corporation (Kendallville, IN). For thirty years, he was a sales manager for Kleinhenn Company. In retirement, he returned to his first passion of teaching. He found a special place at the Alexandria High School among the faculty, staff, and students.
Carl played an active role in the community at Park Place Church of God and Central Christian Church. He was also a member of Noon Kiwanis, Executive Board member of United Faith Housing, and other organizations.
An avid sports fan (Packers and Cubs), he was selected into the Anderson University Hall of Fame for his achievements in Baseball.
Above everything else, he was a husband, father, grandfather, and beloved friend to many. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Louise (Pistole) Poikonen of Anderson whom he married Dec. 23, 1967 in Anderson; son, Stephen Carl (Jinaye) Poikonen of Boulder Creek, CA; daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Poikonen of Chicago, IL; four grandsons: Jacob, Liam, Connor, and Waylon-Hollis; sisters, Ersle Gregersen of Poulsbo, WA; Patricia Poikonen of Yakima, WA; and sister-in-law, Linda Poikonen of Racine, WI; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carole and Ed Greenwalt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: David (Renee) Pistole; John Pistole (Kathy Harp) and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Sam and Lyle), a nephew(Christopher Pistole), and his beloved in-laws (Hollis and Elizabeth Pistole).
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday October 18, 2015 at Central Christian Church with Rev. Rick Vale, Dr. Don Johnson, and John Pistole officiating. A reception with the family will immediately follow the service and will be held at Anderson Center for the Arts, 32 West 10th Street in Anderson.
Memorial contributions may be given to Anderson University, Pistole Family Endowed Scholarship in memory of Carl Poikonen.
Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.