Dennis Lee Poling

Dennis Lee Poling, 78, of Massillon, passed away May 12, 2026.

Denny was born on January 25, 1948, in Baltimore, MD to the late Betty Jane Tasseff (Reed) and Russell Leo Poling. Denny spent a lot of his youth working on automobiles, and becoming a certified mechanic. He was known to be very handy, always working on something, from painting to laying shingles on roofs.

Denny loved playing guitar, especially with his friends, not only entertaining themselves, but as well as the community at local venues. He liked shooting pool and playing cards with family and friends. Denny also had a profound interest in his later years for attending church with his mom and step-dad, Alex. Denny loved spending time with his kids, grandkids, the “Burton City Ponderosa family members”, enjoying cookouts and bonfires. Mondays were a special time, as they were spent with his younger brother, Russ, whom he “hit up for breakfast and car rides” (continually). Denny will be remembered for being adventurous and surviving a ultra-light plane crash; having been hit directly by plane parts, Denny miraculously walked away with minimal injuries.

Denny will be missed by his children Julie Poling, Jennifer Poling and Dennis Poling Jr.; grandchildren Devin Autrey, Janesa Gastin, Larissa Autrey, Chance and Isabella Schaar; great grandchildren Zoi and Zelda Shollenberger, and Noah Al-Saffat; brother Russell Poling (Mary Ann), brother-in-law Bill Gibson; and a host of many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his step-father, Alex B. Tasseff, “Big Al”, who raised Denny like his own; siblings Robert G. Poling and Janet Gibson; children Robert Poling and Jessica Poling.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 11AM – 12PM, at Paquelet Funeral Home, 1100 Wales Rd. NE, where funeral services will promptly take place at 12PM. Interment will immediately follow in Massillon Cemetery. The family would like to express their gratitude to Roger Ellis and Pastor Don Henson of the Church of God World Wide Association Inc. and to Aultman Hospital’s Select Care Specialty Group for their care and compassion during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice, or pay it forward and take somebody out to breakfast!

To share a memory of Denny or to leave a condolence for his family, please visit the online guestbook.