Funeral services for Alton Oscar Poehl, 87, of the Birch Community, are set for 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 28, 2011 at the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Lyons, with Rev. John Boydston officiating. Interment will follow at Birch Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, November 27, 2011 from 12:00 pm to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Poehl passed away on November 25, 2011 in Giddings, Texas. Alton was born June 4, 1924, to Oscar Christian and Annie Korth Poehl in Birch. He grew up in the Birch and Birdsong communities, and attended the rural schools there. Alton proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 625th Engineers where he reached the rank of Sgt., and after his honorable discharge in November 1946 moved to Brazoria and worked for Dow Chemical. On July 22, 1950, Alton married Esther Koehler in the Salem Birch Church. They moved to Houston where they raised their daughter and son, and started their own business, Poehl Drywall Company. Alton was dedicated to his company and his family, and Monday through Friday he gave his all to the sheetrock company, but on Friday evening the family loaded the car and came home to Birch for the weekend. In 1980, Alton retired and the family moved back to Birch. He spent the next 31 years raising cattle and hay, gardening, fishing, hunting, playing dominoes, drinking coffee, and enjoying the company of his family and friends. Alton was a member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Lyons, Deanville Lodge #301 and Grand Trustee for nine years, where he was awarded the Humanitarian Award in 1994 and a founding member of the Birch Gun Club. He was a lifetime member of VFW 4458 in Caldwell, the American Legion Post 0455 in Somerville and a member of the Deanville Volunteer Fire Dept. Alton is survived by his son, Darrell Poehl of Birch, daughter and son-in-law; Betty Ann & Glenn Tydlacka of Birch, granddaughter; Brittney and husband Dustin Knesek of Frenstat, sister; Esther L. Smalley of Caldwell, sister-in-law; Lucille Koehler, brother-in-law; Eldie and wife Theresa Koehler of Birch, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 57 years, five sisters and a brother also. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Evangelical United Church of Christ, PO Box 440, Lyons, Texas 77863. Please visit our website at www.stricklandfuneralhomes.com