Paul Fahncke, 98, formerly of 1320 Frahm Pike, Celina, died at 4:45 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007 at The Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford.

He was born Aug. 7, 1909 in Liberty Township, to John and Louise Gertz Fahncke. On Oct. 12, 1940, he married Della Ruth Rutledge, who died Jan. 25, 1957. On April 12, 1958, he married Margaret M. Smith, who died Aug. 23, 1995.

Surviving are three sons, John (Jerine), Willshire, Joseph (Karen), Rockford, and Charles (Debra), Sylvania; a daughter, Sara (James) Patton, Belle Center; and eight grandchildren.

Deceased are four brothers, Henry, Otto, Hugo and Carl; three sisters, Anna Bollenbacher, Emma Brehm and Martha Bollenbacher.

He was a farmer in Liberty Township and had worked at General Electric, Decatur, Ind. He was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberty Township, where he served various leadership roles and fellowship activities, such as Sunday school superintendent, church elder and trustee. He served as district supervisor of the Mercer County Soil & Water Conservation District and was on the board of the Mercer County Society for Crippled Children and Adults.

Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Randall Swanson officiating. Burial is at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Friday at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina, and 9-10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Contributions can be made to the church or Mercer County Society for Crippled Children and Adults.

Condolences can be sent to dick.hellwarthfuneralhome@hotmail.com.