Carl R. Poelker, 82, of Decatur, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 17, 2026 at ARC, Hickory Point.

Carl was born in Elgin Illinois on February 6, 1944, the only child of Raymond and Mildred (Rund)
Poelker. Carl graduated from Dundee High School in 1962. He began his journey with Millikin University the Fall of 1962 when recruited to play basketball. As as a student/athlete Carl was a 3 year letterman in football, earning all-district honors as defensive lineman his senior year. He also participated in basketball for 2 years and track one year before graduating from Millikin in 1968. He started part-time on Millikin’s football coaching staff that same year while teaching math and coaching basketball for Macon High School. Millikin head football coach Skip Mathieson, one of Carl’s lifelong mentors, hired Carl full-time at Millikin in 1973 to become an instructor in Physical Education, wrestling coach and defensive coordinator. He was promoted to rank equivalent of Assistant Professor in 1977 and was named track coach in 1979. Carl became head coach of Millikin’s football team in 1982 succeeding another lifelong mentor Merle Chapman. Carl amassed an 88-39-1 record during his tenure as Millikin’s head football coach through the 1995 season.

In late 1995, Carl was hired to revive a McKendree football program that had not played a game in more than four decades. Carl guided the Bearcats to 117 victories from the 1996 season thru 2012. In 31 seasons as a collegiate head coach, he amassed 205 victories, and won nearly 70 percent of his contests. The student athletes and coaches associated with Carl’s programs can attest that the greatest victories were to continue to achieve a near 100% graduation rate.

More than the number of wins he posted, Coach Poelker will be remembered for the profound impact he made on all those who played for him and coached alongside him.

Carl married Peggy Irene Marchialette on May 1, 1963 in Elgin, IL. They celebrated over 62 years of
marriage.

Carl was preceded in death by his son, Ty in January, 2025. Surviving are his children Tim (Julie) Poelker of Eureka, Todd (Huong) Poelker of Tremont, Traci (Grant) Eckenrod of Williamsburg Iowa, and Trent of Baton Rouge Louisiana, 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Carl on May 2 beginning at 11 a.m. at Frank M. Lindsay Field on Millikin University’s campus in Decatur, IL. Additionally, there will be the 2 nd Annual Carl Poelker Millikin football golf outing at Southside country club on July 24.