(veteran)

Paul C. Phelps, 78

Paul C. Phelps, 78, of Decatur, died April 11, 2003, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair.

Funeral services were Monday, April 14, at the United Methodist Church in Decatur. Interment was in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Decatur, with military graveside rites by the V.F.W. Gleason-Rogers Post No, 6926, and the American Legion Roger-Crum Post No. 215.

Paul Charles Phelps was born Aug 1, 1924, in rural Decatur to Walter C. “Dutch” and Grace A. (Young) Phelps.

He graduated from Decatur High School in 1941, and was inducted into the U.S. Army on July 25, 1945. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 24, 1947.

On July 30, 1949, he married Helen L. Bailey in Tekamah. While he worked for Great Lakes Pipeline, they lived in several states before returning to Decatur, where they have resided since 1956.

Mr. Phelps was employed in sales for various companies before being appointed as Burt County Assessor. He served in that office for a total of 21 years. He also served on various county and village boards and committees.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Decatur, where he served on the Administrative Board. He was also a member of the V.F.W. Gleason-Rogers Post No, 6926, a Past Master of Star Lodge No. 88 in Decatur, and received his 50-year pin from the Tekamah Masonic Lodge No. 31 in July 2002. He was active in the Decatur Community Club and the Decatur Senior Citizens.

He volunteered for many youth activities, including announcing the high school football games, the summer baseball and softball programs, and teaching Sunday School.

He is survived by his wife, Helen of Decatur; daughters and son-in-law, Beth Phelps of San Francisco, Calif., Kaye and Gary Trisdale of Blair, and Judy Phelps of Omaha; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Helen Newton and Phyllis and Jim Smith, all of Decatur, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Randall Charles, and two brothers, Doyle and Bill Phelps.

Memorials are suggested to the family.

Hamel-Peck-Pelan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave # 55425475