Vernon L. Paul, age 79, of New Bremen, died suddenly in the evening hours of Sunday, December 3, 2023 at his residence.

He was born on September 12, 1944 in German Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, the son of the late Hilgard C. and Esther M. (Rodeheffer) Paul. On June 25, 1966, he married Julia A. Niemeyer, sharing nearly 57 years together before her death on June 11, 2023.

Surviving are his daughters: Nancy (Eric) Kroeker of Huber Heights and Amy (Vernon) Yahl of St. Marys; his grandchildren: Brooke Yahl and Alex Yahl, step-grandchildren: Travis Kroeker and Grace Kroeker; and his brother: Robert (Diane) Paul of New Bremen. Also left to cherish his memory are his in-laws: Donna Mann and George (Connie) Niemeyer of Wapakoneta.

Along with his parents, Vernon was preceded in death by his father and mother in-law: Gustave and Elsie Niemeyer, and in-laws: Martha (Verlin) Strasburg, Robert (Mary) Niemeyer, and Ronald Mann.

Vernon was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen where he had served as a Deacon of the church. He was a 1962 graduate of New Bremen High School, where he had excelled on the basketball team, and later played softball on the Meyers Fleet-Wing team. Vernon and Julia enjoyed playing cards with their friends, taking trips to Holmes County, enjoyed their monthly supper club outings and attending their grandchildren's activities. He was a regular at Patrick's and Bolly's and was also part of the Bolly's card club, more recently playing cards with the guys at the New Bremen Rod and Gun Club. He also liked working puzzles.

He had worked for the former Minster Farmer's Co-Op Exchange for many years, and later became a seed salesman for Bambauer Fertilizer and Seed. He had been a German Township Trustee for 47 years, retiring in 2022. During that time, he served on the Joint Township District Memorial Hospital District Board of Trustees and also served for many of those years as President of the board.

Funeral Services to celebrate Vernon's life will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen, with Rev. Ken Locke officiating. Interment will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery of New Bremen.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 3:00 until 7:00 PM at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and again on Friday morning at the church, from 9:30 until 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions in memory of Vernon can be made to: JTD Hospital Foundation (200 St. Clair Street, St. Marys, Ohio 45885) or to St. Paul Church Memorial Fund (P.O. Box 6, New Bremen, Ohio 45869).

Memories and condolences can be shared with the family on the funeral home website: www.gilberghartwigfh.com.