Evelyn R. Poliak

EAST PEORIA—Evelyn Ruth Poliak, 63, of East Peoria died at 12:40 AM on Sunday, Jan 2, 2011 at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. She was happily welcomed into her family by David and Viola (Fehr) Claassen, who had prayed for a daughter, and by her older brothers, David Dean and Marvin, who affectionately called her “Little Sis” on June 16, 1947. Growing up, Evelyn enjoyed playing the flute, attending the youth group at Mt. Olive Missionary Church, attending summer camp at CDYC, as well as visiting her extended Claassen family in Whitewater, KS and her extended Fehr family in rural Eureka. Evelyn accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior on Oct 9, 1956. She believed in the power of prayer, and loved the song “Prayer Warrior.” Anyone seeking her advice would be instructed to “pray about it.” Evelyn graduated from East Peoria Community High School in 1965, and later attended Fort Wayne Bible College, where she met her future husband. She served our country as a military wife for over 10 years. They had a daughter, Rita. Evelyn was blessed by love a second time, and married Ralph Poliak on August 6, 1983; he survives. Together, they raised their three children: Matthew Poliak of Clarksville, TN; Brian (Heather, Owynn and Ethan) Poliak of Portand, TN; and Rita Allen of East Peoria. She was a devoted mother, always prioritizing her children’s needs before her own. During her career, Evelyn worked as a bank teller at East Peoria First National Bank, in the Bursar’s office at the University of Texas at Arlington, as the financial secretary for Meadow Lane Baptist Church, as the assistant manager of Family Christian Bookstores, and as a phlebotomist for the American Red Cross. Evelyn liked flowers, butterflies, and cardinals. She always blew kisses to her husband and daughter. She enjoyed reading her books and trading them with her friend, Gloria, listening to WCIC Christian Radio, watching Shirley Temple movies, watching “The Price Is Right” and “Jeopardy” on TV, crocheting afghans for gifts, and playing dominoes with her “best-est” friends Judie & Jack Freeman. She and Ralph attended his cancer support group at the Cancer Center for Healthy Living. She attended the Brain Injury Group’s annual summer camp, where she made even more friends. She believed that God is in control and was thankful for every day that He gave her following her first stroke in 2005. Funeral services to celebrate Evelyn’s life will be held at 10 AM on Thurs, Jan 6, 2011 at Mt. Olive Missionary Church in Peoria. The Rev. Mark Douras will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Wed, Jan 5 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in East Peoria. Burial will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, next to her parents, who preceded her in death.

Evelyn R. Poliak

June 16, 1947 - January 2, 2011