Friday, July 30th, 2021
Paul Mestemaker
Paul L. Mestemaker, age 89, of New Weston, passed away Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Briarwood Village in Coldwater.
He was born March 7, 1932, to the late Julius & Amelia (Dorsten) Mestemaker. On June 20, 1953, he married his wife of 68 years, Mary (Hemmelgarn) Mestemaker, and she survives in New Weston.
Paul is also survived by children: David & Annette Mestemaker of New Weston, Dennis & Vickie Mestemaker of Versailles, Dale & the late Dorothy Mestemaker of Ball Ground, GA, Donna & the late Corey Shaw of Morris, IL, Chris & Judy Mestemaker of New Weston, Randy & Stephanie Mestemaker of Ansonia, Lori & Zane Keller of Ansonia, Nancy Leugers of Cranberry Prairie, and Jerry & Charlene Mestemaker of New Weston. Also surviving are 22 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and three on the way, and in-laws, Ruth Westgerdes, and Louis Schlater.
Paul was the last living member of his family and is preceded in death by siblings and in-laws: Alvin & Rita Mestemaker, Anna Rita & Albert Heckler, Ella Mae & Ivan Barga, Ruth & Red Twaits, Mary Jean & Louis Schoenlein, Cletus & Florence Hemmelgarn, Norman & Beverly Hemmelgarn, Paul & Donna Hemmelgarn, Cy & Odessa Hemmelgarn, Andy Westgerdes, and Irene Schlater.
Paul was an active member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville where he was an usher, server, rosary leader, and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and the North Star American Legion. He retired from Kaiser Agricultural Chemicals and was a lifelong dairy farmer. Paul was proud to recently receive the Century Farm Award for his family's farm. He was a past farm advisor of the Burkettsville Community Fire Department, a township trustee for Allen Township, and of the Tennessee Squires. Paul was passionate about his card playing, being part of several card clubs for over 60 years. He loved spending time with his family and friends.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Monday, August 2, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery.
Friends may call from 1-5pm on Sunday, August 1, and from 9-10am on Monday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Neurological Development in Burkettsville.
Condolences may be left at www.hogenkampfh.com.