Jerald John Poehl, age 88, of Muskegon, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. He was born on July 31, 1937 in Caldwell, Texas, to Robert and Helen Poehl. At the age of four, his father led him in a prayer to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. That day changed the trajectory of his life for eternity. He graduated high school knowing he had a call on his life to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Leaving his home, parents, and five younger siblings, Jerald started his pastoral career as a 19-year-old at a small church in Arkansas. During an evangelistic service that he helped lead in Hot Springs, Arkansas, God orchestrated an introduction to Marylin Gossel. It only took a few months to have a romance turn into a marriage; an adventure that lasted 56 years until Marylin's passing in 2015.

The newlyweds worked at Hillcrest, the Assembly of God Children's Home in Hot Springs. Feeling the need to further his education, Jerald left to attend Bible School in Pennsylvania over the winter semester and experienced snow and cold. Marylin became pregnant with her first child, David, and she moved to Texas to live with her in-laws while Jerald finished the semester.

David was born in Freeport, Texas and the family moved to Waxahachie, Texas, to attend Southwestern Assemblies of God Bible College. They welcomed their daughter, Shelia, to the family during this time. Jerald was ordained in 1963, and after graduation, he moved his family to Kountze, Texas, where the permanently youngest member of the family, Rob, was born.

Marylin's mother was involved in a car accident and the family packed up and moved to Michigan to help care for his mother-in-law. The family then moved to Grand Ledge and took on the bi-vocational challenge of pastoring a small church. Much growth occurred and a new building was erected. After five years, a move to Gaylord was the next direction to follow in God's plan. Jerald pastored the Gaylord Assembly of God Church and survived another building program. During this pastorate, he served as camp manager for Lost Valley Bible Camp.

After 10 years, Jerald packed up the family and moved to Ravenna to pastor there. It was here that his children met and married their spouses. Jerald served his last pastorate in Howell, but this was not the end of his ministry.

Jerald worked delivering cars around the country while waiting for his next assignment. God didn't take long in helping him find his ministry in Muskegon, at Central Assembly. He was promoted to maintenance man and proved that the biggest impact for the kingdom happens when we are obedient to God.

Jerald retired from Central Assembly until Marylin insisted that he find a hobby. His hobby was as a Hospice volunteer. This soon changed into his last paid ministry position as a Hospice Chaplain. Jerald realized that on the other side of having to worry about the budget, the type of songs sung in church, the volume of the songs, room temperatures, board meetings, upset members, and hour upon hour of work, was the rewarding ministry of leading people to meet Jesus and to comfort the grieving and hurting. He understood the grief he helped comfort in others when his wife passed away in 2015.

He then met Gen Morrison, and after courting, they were married in 2017. They were able to travel and spend winters in Florida, which Jerald truly enjoyed. He was able to experience eight great years with Gen and grieved again with her loss in January of 2026.

Next to his Savior, Jesus Christ, family was the most important thing to Jerald. The family relationships were strong, loving, and full of energy and laughter. They spent a lot of time together throughout each year, continually celebrating life's events and making wonderful memories.

Jerald enjoyed outdoor activities, especially fishing and hunting. He could always be talked into picking berries or looking for mushrooms. Jerald always looked forward to Texas trips to spend time with family; he especially looked forward to time spent fishing with his brother, Dale. As Dale would explain, the expression you see on a little kid's face when they catch a BIG fish is the expression Jerald had every time he caught ANY fish.

Jerald is survived by his son, David (Linda) Poehl; his daughter, Shelia (Larry) Boerema; son, Rob (Anne) Poehl; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Sheila Morrison and Kim Britton; along with seven step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Bernadine Clark, Neoma Tumlinson, and Doreen Harvey; brother, Dale (Janie) Poehl; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen; his wife of 56 years, Marylin; his wife of eight years, Genevieve; his brother, Donnie; and his step-daughter, Sheryl (Jeff) Lupien.

The Funeral Service for Jerald will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Central Assembly of God (896 Home St., Muskegon, MI), with Pastor James Reamsma officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Grand Haven Township Lakeshore Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Lost Valley Bible Camp-Checks should be made out to "Michigan Ministry Network" with "Lost Valley" specified in the note section. They can be mailed to: Michigan Ministry Network-Lost Valley, 10370 Citation Dr., Brighton, MI, 48116.

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