Paul is survived by his wife, Marsha L. (Drake) Nieport whom he married November 6, 1965; daughters & sons-in-law, Brenda S. & David Petitjean of Ft. Recovery and Anita K. & Steven Rutschilling of Yorkshire; grandchildren, Adam Petitjean & fiancée, Shayna, Kyle Petitjean, Alan Petitjean, Elizabeth Rutschilling and Amber Rutschilling; brother & sister-in-law, Walter & Vivian Nieport of Greenville; sisters & brother-in-law, Irene Jones of New Weston, Mary Wendeln of Ft. Loramie and Rosella & Edward McClurg of Celina; brother-in-law, Bob Gerling of Versailles; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Paul was also preceded in death by a sister, Rita S. Gerling; sister-in-law, Martha King Nieport; and brothers-in-law, Paul Jones and John Wendeln.
Paul started working for Harvey Hole Mack in Versailles; then became a self-employed mechanic for 11 years; a school bus driver for Versailles Schools for 20 years and then worked at Fullenkamp Trailer Sales in Frenchtown. Paul was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Frenchtown, St. Denis Knights of Columbus, Versailles and Greenville Fraternal Order of Eagles, Darke County Plowing Association, Ohio Plowing Association, National Plowing Association, Silver King Tractor Club and Power of the Past. Paul was owner of the Average Joe’s Go-Kart Racing Team.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles with Rev. Fr. James Simons celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Valbert Cemetery in Versailles. The family will receive friends on Friday from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. and Saturday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles. A prayer service will be conducted by the Knights of Columbus Friday evening at the funeral home. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
