LEON V. PAULUS

Leon V. Paulus, age 88, of Columbia City, IN died at 1:21 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at his home in Columbia City. He was born in Noble County, IN on September 14, 1919. He was the son of Samuel D. and Lola A. (Wilkerson) Paulus.

He was born and raised in Noble County before moving to Whitley County, IN in 1947. He graduated from Wolf Lake High School with the Class of 1939. He served in the United States Navy from 1943-1945. He married JoAnn Brandenburg on October 2, 1988 at Merriam Christian Chapel. He worked at United Tech as a tool maker for 15 years retiring on May 1, 1991. He was a member of the American Legion # 98 for 62 years, the Eagles # 1906 for 60 years, Moose Lodge #1063 and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #131 all in Columbia City, IN. He was a past member of the Wolf Lake Methodist Church.

Survivors included his wife, JoAnn Paulus of Columbia City, IN; 2 daughters, Cheryl Merit of Fort Wayne, IN; Vicki Dominquez of Huntington, IN; 1 son, Samuel (Sue) Paulus of Pierceton, IN; 2 step daughters, Glenda Ervin of Claypool, IN; Karen Wildey of Greenwood, IN; 1 step son, Jim (Lois) Brandenburg of Columbia City, IN; 1 sister, Thelma Vietch of Fort Wayne, IN; 11 grandchildren, 6 step grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 11 step great grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Lawrence, Russell, and Jay Paulus; 2 sisters, Helen Hickman and Evangelina Baker; daughter, Kay M. Paulus and son, Jerry Paulus and first wife, Leila Jean Paulus.

Visitation will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, February 17, 2008, with a Eagles Twilight service at 5:30 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 18 at the funeral home with Funeral Celebrants Eddie Beagles, CFC and Sharon Brockhuas,CFC officiating. Memorial bequests may be given in Mr. Paulus memory to the Whitley County Senior Center. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send condolences, or to sign the family guest register book, please log on to www.demoneygrimes.com .