Paul Eichler, 89, of Rockford, Ohio, died at 6:10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at the Laurels of Shane Hill where he was a patient. He was born in Center Township, Mercer County, Ohio, to John and Marie Elizabeth (Heffner) Eichler on March 8, 1928. Paul graduated from Rockford High School in the Class of 1945. He entered the United States Army on December 12, 1950, honorably serving his country until September 22, 1952, during the Korean Conflict. On April 14, 1956, he married Catherine Miller, who preceded in death on April 16, 2016.

Paul lived in the area his entire life, and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Hopewell, Celina, Ohio, where he had taught Sunday School; he also was a Mercer County Farm Bureau Council member, and a Dublin Township trustee. Paul loved history, and enrolled in Capital University with the intention of graduating and becoming a history teacher. He attended, but never was able to graduate, but that didn't stop him from sharing his love of history. He was quite the history buff, and on a family trip out west, he made sure that they stopped in every state capital on the way!

Paul was a life-long farmer, raising both crops and livestock. He truly loved working with his hogs. When he first graduated from high school, he worked at Continental Can in Van Wert, Ohio. His true passion though, was working on his farm, and he was a very hard worker, and encouraged his children to work just that hard also. His work ethic was very strong, and he was good at many things besides farming - he was quite handy at remodeling homes, and repairing items inside the house as well as the equipment on the farm. Paul adored his grandchildren, who gave him much love and attention.

Surviving are one daughter and two sons: Kathy Cesar of Rockford, Ed (Lisa) Eichler of Van Wert, and Robert "Bob" (Mary) Eichler of Rockford; 9 grandchildren: Ellen Morrow, Richard Paul (Courtney) Cesar, Brandon (Kate Moore) Cesar, Joel Cesar, Jared Cesar, Callie Eichler, Claire Eichler, Leah Eichler, and Lydia Eichler, along with 2 great-grandchildren: Colt Morrow and Augustus Cesar. One brother, Donald Eichler of Pleasanton, CA, also survives.

Preceding in death in addition to his parents and his wife, Kate, are 3 siblings: Joyce, John "Junior" and Dale Eichler.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 4:00 p.m., at St. John Lutheran, Hopewell, at the corner of Oregon Rd. and St. Rte. 118, south of Rockford. Officiating will be Rev. Karen Tamorria. Burial will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio.

The family will receive friends and family at St. John Lutheran Church, Hopewell, on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. up until the time of the service at 4:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the church.

Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com. Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford is handling the services.