Henry "Hank" B. Polman, Jr.

Henry “Hank” B. Polman, Jr.

October 27, 1953 – August 30, 2015

NORTH LIBERTY – Henry “Hank” B. Polman, Jr., age 61, of North Liberty, passed away early Sunday morning, August 30, 2015 having spent his last few hours being made comfortable by the caring staff at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka.  Prior to his last hours, Hank had spent the summer battling pancreatic cancer.  Knowing his time was limited, he still chose to participate in a clinical trial of promising new cancer drugs at IU Center for Cancer Care in Goshen, IN.

Hank was born in South Bend, October 27, 1953 to Henry B. and Jacqueline (Miller) Polman.  Both his parents have preceded him in cancer deaths.

Living most of his life in this area, Hank was raised on the family farm in North Liberty.  His father had emigrated from Holland as a young man, working at Notre Dame until he was able to purchase his own farm.

Following graduation from North Liberty High School, Hank attended Purdue University in West Lafayette to study agriculture.  While living in Lafayette, he was briefly married.  He has always considered his step daughters Leana Benjamin and Andree Cundiff as his own.

Hank had several jobs while in college and soon after, as a courier, dance instructor, various positions for a linen service, and dispatching repair service for trucking companies.

In the early 1980’s Hank found his niche.  He studied and began preparing income tax returns for H&R Block and others, eventually opening his own tax preparation business, Common Cents Consulting in Mishawaka.  He loved the details and complexities of the tax laws and prepared hundreds of returns each year.  He was a member of the National Society of Tax Professionals.  This business allowed Hank to pursue his favorite occupation, farming, during the summer.

While share cropping most of the family farm, Hank maintained a large personal garden.  He reaped great joy from harvesting and preserving and canning the produce from his garden.  His main purpose of the garden, though, was to give the food away.  Friends, neighbors and food banks were beneficiaries each year.  Not being able to tend his garden this past summer was, for Hank, the hardest part of cancer.

His longest passion was Purdue University.  He had season football tickets and attended most home games.  He was a member of the John Purdue Club and the Purdue Alumni Association, attended income tax update school there many times, and has arranged for funding for scholarships going forward for adult students trying to complete their educations.

Hank will be missed by many.  Having no siblings and having lost contact with extended family, Hank had many friends.  He was considered family to Kathy and Jeff Johnson who cared for him this summer.  He is survived by the Johnsons and their family, Bob and Pat Price, Tom (deceased) and Pam Price, John and Althea Price, Gus and Jean Gustafson, and all the extended members of these families, and his oldest friend Pete Vanhaver.  He spent holidays, football weekends, and all occasions, happy and sad with these friends who will miss his special “Hank” cards, dry wit, and eclectic conversations.

Friends and family may visit from 4-7 PM today at Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Ave, South Bend 46615 and from 10-11 AM Thursday, September 3, 2015 before the 11:00 AM Funeral Service, also at Palmer Funeral Home.  The service will be conducted by Tim Stewart, Senior Minister for the North Liberty Church of Christ.  Following the service, Hank will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery, next to his parents.  Hank would appreciate memorial contributions to the Food bank of Northern Indiana or the organization of your choice.  Online condolences: www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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