Paul A. Elking, age 83, of Celina, passed away at Kindred Hospital in Lima, on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

Born June 18, 1938, in Celina, he was a son of the late Joseph Elking and Anna (Leugers) Elking Miller. Paul and Mary Ann Darnell were married in 1965.

Mary Ann survives, along with children: Elaine Elking of St. Marys, and Kenneth Elking, Carol (Terry) Walter, and David (Heather) Elking, all of Celina, 9 grandchildren: Melissa, Nicholas, Christopher, Clay, Stephanie, Cortland, Cali, Dylan and Morgan, 6 great grandchildren: Mahalie, Maddox, Makinsley, Connor, Lucy Lou and Millie Mae, and sisters-in-law: Antoinette (Douglas) Shema of Celina and Catherine Darnell of Cincinnati.

He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Edward Elking in 1988, a sister, Clara (Rolland "Pete") Adams, brothers, George "Cookie" Elking and Donald (Clara) Elking, daughter-in-law, Danielle M. Elking, and a brother-in-law, James Robert Darnell.

A graduate of Immaculate Conception High School, Paul served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He worked at the Mersman Furniture Factory for many years, and later he and Mary Ann owned and operated Paul's Furniture and Paul's Mini Mall in Celina. Paul was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and Knights of Columbus Council #1800 in Celina. His favorite activities were bargain hunting and attending auctions. Paul enjoyed "tinkering," and had built his own home, barn, and shed in rural Celina.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, June 3, at Immaculate Conception Church, Celina. Burial will follow at St. Marys Cemetery in Celina.

Calling Hours are 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, June 2, at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Condolences can be expressed to the Elking family at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.