Paul Wilson Opperman, 75, of 8 Elk Drive, New Bremen, died 4:05 A.M. Thursday, April 9, 2009, at Saint Ritas Medical Center, Lima, Ohio.

He was born September 15, 1933, in New Bremen, the son of Charles and Kathryn (Vornholt) Opperman.

He married Dolores Schemmel on October 3, 1952; she preceded him in death.

He is survived by his five children: Jeffrey (Denise) Opperman of New Bremen; Bruce (Rita) Opperman of New Knoxville; Susan Townsend of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Elaine (James) Lamert of New Bremen; Jane (Kevin) Shelley of Mooresville, Indiana; by 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; by a brother, James (Carol) Opperman of New Bremen; his mother-in-law, Helen Schemmel of Minster.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one sister: Ruth Ann Opperman and by a brother who was stillborn. 

Paul was a 1951 graduate of New Bremen High School. He retired from the Huffy Corporation where he had been a tool and die maker.

He was a loving father and grandfather with a passion for the outdoors and fishing; he was well known for his hand tied fishing lures.

Funeral rites will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 13, 2009, at the Faith Alliance Church, New Bremen, Ohio, the Reverend Tom Sager and the Reverend Steve Wills, officiants. Burial will follow at German Protestant Cemetery in New Bremen.

Friends may call from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Monday at the church, where memorial donations may be directed to New Bremen EMS.

Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, 200 West Spring Street, New Knoxville, is in charge of the arrangements.