Paul Edgar Wherry SR's Obituary
Paul Edgar Wherry Sr. passed away on November 4, 2021. He will be inurned on January 16th, 2023 at 10:00 am at Lakeview Memorial Gardens 854 Memorial Drive Avon Park, FL. He was born on July 31, 1924, to Mary Alice (Barkley) and Orville Sylvester Wherry in Coesse, Indiana. He loved to share stories of growing up on the farm with his brothers Harold, Howard, Chalmer (Pete), and sister Margaret. In June of 1943, like so many other young men, he enlisted in the Army joining the military police of the 40th Infantry. Paul spent most of his time during World War II in the Asian-Pacific theater earning several honors and medals for his service. He returned home in 1945 and settled into a career in construction with Hilt Construction. On February 14, 1951, he married the love of his life, Marjorie Elaine Steinbacher. Together they raised their family in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the age of 40, Paul unconventionally left the trade union to go to college, earning a BA and MA in Education from St. Francis College with exceptionally high marks.
Paul taught at South Wayne Elementary School from 1967 to 1986 and was quickly a student favorite. In 1970 the Fort Wayne Gazette even ran a story showcasing just how much his students loved him when they all hung a sign on his front porch saying “Happiness is a Great Teacher”. The Gazette said, “The l-o-o-on-g sign South Wayne School sixth graders very stealthily arranged to have posted on the home of their teacher, Paul Wherry, should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that they consider him, “just the most” as far as teacher people are concerned. They say Wherry is a teacher who just “says it like it is – he’s just a regular guy”. They also presented him with a plaque saying. “Mr. Wherry — You’re the Greatest! Your 1970 Class” during the last week of school.
He never lost his love of woodworking, having built many beautiful pieces of furniture over the years for Marjorie and other family members. In 1988, after retiring from a fulfilling teaching career, he and Marjorie moved to Lake Placid, Florida to embark on a life full of visits with grandchildren and friendly card games. In Florida, Paul quickly became known for his talented woodworking and newly acquired stained-glass hobby. He began creating pieces that Marjorie would draw and he would bring to life in glass. After losing Marjorie in 2003, Paul moved to Georgetown, Texas in 2017 to be closer to family. Paul leaves a legacy of kindness, compassion, dependability, and laughter. He will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children or the University of St Francis: Charles and Wilma (Sanger) Shuman Endowed Scholarship for Education Majors (email [email protected])
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, wife Marjorie, and son Mark A. Wherry. He is survived by his daughter, Garnet, son Paul Jr.(Bev), grandchildren Colleen (Ken), Paul (Stephanie), Courtney (Greg), Erica (Joseph), Wendel (Mallory), Brandon, and eight (number nine on the way) great-grandchildren.
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