OTIS — Paul Eugene Menzer, 62, died Oct. 26, 2016, at Rush County Memorial Hospital. He was born Feb. 16, 1954, at Hoisington, the son of Edwin “Mitch” and Helen Dorothy (Cockrell) Menzer.
Paul was a 1973 graduate of Otis-Bison High School. He was a diesel mechanic having worked at Central Detroit Diesel. He owned his own business in Cherryvale, Kansas, called Paul’s Automotive and Repair. He then worked in Independence, Kansas. Later, he moved back to Otis in 2004 and worked for Central Power Systems, while operating his own business, Menzer Automotive, until his health failed and he retired. He resided in Otis until May 2016 when he moved into Locust Grove Village at LaCrosse, Kansas. He was baptized into the catholic faith, but had been attending Peace Lutheran Church for the last 12 years.
Paul married Luella Pechanec on December 19, 1973. They later divorced. On June 26, 2004, while attending his cousin’s wedding he reunited with a childhood friend, Shelly DeWald, and they have been together ever since.
Survivors include: his longtime, special companion, Shelly DeWald; his son, Jeff Menzer and wife Megan, of Cherryvale, Kansas; daughter, Shannon Menzer and fiancé Rodney Bryant of Independence, Kansas; grandchildren, Dalton Menzer, Brendan Menzer, Miles Bryant, Jaxson Bryant, and Drake Menzer; and a great grandson, Bentley Menzer; brothers, Alan “Buck” Menzer and wife Julia of Cherryvale, Kansas, Edwin “Ed” Menzer of Locust Grove Village, LaCrosse, Kansas, David Menzer and wife Jolene of Independence, Kansas, Ron Menzer and wife Donna of Redwing, Kansas, John Menzer and wife Lisa of Ellinwood, Kansas, Mike Menzer and wife Chris of Great Bend, Kansas; sisters, Yvonne West of Great Bend, Kansas, Anna Wiley of Conway, Arkansas, Dorothy Goodman of Brookland, Arkansas, and Susan Menzer of Great Bend, Kansas.
He is also survived by; Shelly’s children, Shane DeWald and wife Amber of Olathe, Kansas, Stephanee Juno and husband Eric of Otis, Kansas, Cole DeWald of Wichita, Kansas; and five grandchildren, Eston, Kelson, Hailyn, Rowyn and Hadley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law, Bob Wiley and Larry Nuss, and a sister-in-law, Carmen West.
Paul was a kind and loving man, good to so many, and always willing to help others. He will be missed greatly.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Peace Lutheran Church, with Rev. Shelly G. Klingensmith presiding. Burial will follow in the Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Friday, at the Peace Lutheran Church, Albert, Kansas.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or Hands of Hope Animal Rescue in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home**
415 N. Main; P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 27, 2016