Paul H. Pfau

Paul H. Pfau age 82, of New Bavaria died early Saturday morning, September 1, 2012 at Vancrest Health Care Center of Holgate.

His Legacy… He was born August 19, 1930 to Alvin C. and Grace Anna (Harper) Pfau at the home of his maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Harry Harper in Defiance.  In 1948 he graduated from Holgate High School.  He married Ida Jones on November 3, 1948 in Emanuel’s UCC.  She preceded him in death on May 12, 1996.  On July 12, 1997 he married Rosemary (Carter) Dirr at Emanuel United Church of Christ where they both were members.  He was a past deacon at the church as well as; elder, choir member, adult Sunday school superintendant, adult Sunday school teacher and a member in the Go Getters Sunday School class.  Paul spent his life farming and enjoyed everything about it.  He was inducted into the Henry County Agriculture Hall of Fame in August 2007.  He was a member of the Henry County Farm Bureau, former member of the Pleasant Valley Farm Bureau Council.  He was a member of the Henry County Retired Iron and Silver King Club.  He participated in tractor pulls for years in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.  He also pulled his tractors at St. Cloud and Fort Meade in the state of Florida.  Paul had the most antique tractors at the Henry County Fair in 2003 and 2004.  He was a member of the River City Rodders, life member of Farmers Union and past president, former member of Bethel Grange and former member of Harrison Grange #151.  Paul was a Supervisor of the Henry County Soil Conservation District for 12 years and was a past secretary.  He was past chairman of the Northwest District of Ohio Soil Conservation for eight years.  Paul spent a couple months in Florida at the former Green Acres Campground where he was on the men’s shuffleboard team.  He and his partner represented Green Acres Sunburst parks and played in a tournament at Fort Myers, FL and were eligible to compete at Port Charlotte.  Paul was a member of the choir at Tampa East where he sang at church services and at the state fair in Tampa each year.

His Family… He is survived by his wife Rosemary; his daughter, Susan E. Pfau, Valrico, FL; step children, David N. (Kim) Gerken, New Bavaria, Edward C. Gerken, Napoleon, MaryAnne Gerken Bentivegna, Westerville and Dianna Dirr, New Albany; grandchildren, Jason (Rachel) Pfau, Continental, Joslyn (Kerry) Johnson, Ottawa, Jessica (Steven) Witham, Bolivar, OH and Vanessa Pfau, Valrico, FL; step grandchildren, Carissa (Jim) Gilgenbach, Miller City, Kara Gerken, New Albany, Chelsea Gerken, Cincinnati, Drew and Derek Gerken, Napoleon, Amanda and Ryan Bentevegna, Westerville; 7 great grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren and a sister Carolyn (Dan) Richard, New Bavaria.  Paul was preceded in death by sons John and Alan and his brother Robert Lee Pfau.

His Farewell Services… Friends will be received in the Zachrich Funeral Home, Holgate on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-9 pm and 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  The celebration of Paul’s life will be on Monday, September 3, 2012 at 11:00 am in Emanuel’s Christian Church, New Bavaria with the Reverend Ed Briggeman officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Contributions made in Paul’s memory should be made to Emanuel’s Christian Church or to a charity of your choice.