Dennis Ray Poland, age 65, of Meridian, Mississippi, formerly of Mt. Carmel, Illinois and Olney, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Rush Health Systems in Meridian, Mississippi. He was born on February 21, 1954 in Lawrenceville, Illinois, the son of Ray A. and Betty (Berry) Poland. He married Sandra Provines on September 14, 1973 who survives.

Dennis dedicated his life to the emergency management systems as a paramedic. He was the director of the Wabash Ambulance Service 1989-1999, the risk manager at Richland Memorial Hospital 2000-2005, the 911 director for Wabash County 2011-2013, the 911 director for Lawrence County 2013-2016, and he dispatched for Lawrence County and Richland County. His hobbies included ham radio operator and CB radio operator, as well as target shooting and photography.

Preceding him in death were his parents and two sons, Scott Anthony and Christopher Wayne.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra; one son, Nicholas Poland of Olney, Illinois; one daughter, Jennifer Poland of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; one sister, Cathy Redman and husband, Russell of Olney, Illinois; and two grandsons, Tyler Poland and Camden Poland.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Sivert-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Sumner, Illinois. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Sumner Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to any of the local emergency services such as fire departments, ambulance services, 911 and first responders or Coyote Hills Equine Rescue and Therapeutic Riding, Inc 542 Chunky-Duffee Road Chunky, MS 39323.