Paul Edward Euler, Sr., 92, of Freeport, Illinois, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on May 13, 2014, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's and heart failure. He was born February 14, 1922, in Freeport, the son of Edward Paul and Laura (Crase) Euler. Paul graduated from Freeport Senior High School in 1941. He loved sports and played football and was in track in high school. Paul served his country in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945 aboard the USS Sperry in the Asiatic-Pacific theater. Through an ironic providential intervention, he was spared his life after his submarine went out to sea without him and was destroyed by the enemy. He married Betty Oswalt in 1942. They had two children, Paul Jr. and Sandra. Paul then later married Ferne Mellentine in Waukegan, Illinois, on June 21, 1971. Paul worked at Kraft Foods in Stockton, the Freeport School district maintenance department, and at Micro Switch in Freeport in the tool and die department before retiring in 1985.
Retirement brought Paul many joys. He and Ferne traveled to the Holy Land and around the United States and visited their children. They made their home in several states, including Arizona, Missouri, and North Carolina, before returning to Freeport. Paul loved spending time with his family, handcrafting wooden horses that were sturdy enough to hold an adult, making wooden furniture, sharing a mischievous story from his youth, and helping others any way he could. He volunteered his time as a crossing guard at an elementary school in Chandler, Arizona, for several years. He was a committed Christian and had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour when he was 17 years old. He enjoyed singing in the church choir and reading the Bible cover to cover many times over the years.
Surviving are his wife, Ferne, of Freeport, son Paul (Diane) Euler, Jr. of Houston, Minnesota, stepson Michael (Katherine) Mellentine of Chandler, Arizona, stepdaughter Karen Wolfrom of Freeport, stepson Mark (Marti) Mellentine of Shelby, North Carolina. Also, grandchildren Patrick (Joan) Euler, Tawna Euler, Darin (Cindy) Euler. Three great grandchildren Jaimee Euler Burke, Jodi Euler, Dillon Euler.
Step grandchildren include Daniel (Jennifer) Mellentine, Jared (Darla) Mellentine, Douglas (Tara) Wolfrom, Joel Wolfrom, Benjamin Mellentine, Jonathan Mellentine, Thaddeus (Kelli) Mellentine, Susanna Mellentine, Josiah Mellentine, and Lydia (fiancé Matt Dyer) Mellentine.
Ten step great grandchildren survive also - Abigail, Madeline, and Luke Mellentine, Anna Leigh, Brynleigh, and Kellen Mellentine, Ella, Levi, and Cadie Wolfrom, and Van Mellentine.
Also surviving are two sisters, Virginia Kissinger of Mesa, Arizona, and Margaret Halstead, of Freeport, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, daughter Sandra, brothers Kenneth and Norman, and sisters Genevieve Euler, Doris Euler, Lois Kampen, and Lauretta Scovill.
Special thanks to St. John's Lutheran Church, Lena, the Friendship Center in Lena where Paul spent many enjoyable hours, and to the Monroe Hospice for their loving care of Paul.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 17, at 10:30 AM at Walker Mortuary, Freeport, with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM until the time of service. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, with military honors conferred prior to burial. A memorial has been established for Monroe Hospice and the Salvation Army.