Paul L. Backs, age 91 of Fort Recovery, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2026, at his home.

He was born on March 10, 1935, in St. Joe, to the late Aloys and Elizabeth (Guggenbiller) Backs.

Paul is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Ruth (Lange) Backs, whom he married on June 9, 1962; his children, Ray Backs of Fort Recovery, Roger (Ann) Backs of St. Joe, Peg (Alan) Rindler of St. Henry, Roy (Jenelle) Backs of Fort Recovery, Patty (Keith) Homan of Fort Recovery, and Pam (Mike) Meiring of Columbus; his grandchildren, Jacob (Karrah) Backs, Casey (Mathias) Koesters, Abigail (Gabe) Riegle, Caleb Backs, Julie (Kyle) Schlater, A.J. Backs, Derek (Kelsey) Backs, Isaac (Lauren ) Rindler, Shelby (Bryce) Hoyng, Nathan Rindler and fiancé Taylor Thwaits, Mariah (Adam) Kremer, Kurtis Backs, Drew Backs, Ashley (Scott) Odle, Brandon Homan, and Oliva Homan; his great grandchildren, Camden, Isaac, Aliyah, Noah, William, Jacob, Beau, Lucia, Tate, Callum, Rylee, Oliver, Maxwell, Quentin, Felix, Audrey, Sadie, Theodore, Hayes, and Blair; his brother, Richard Backs of Marion, Indiana; his sisters-in-law, Sandy Backs of Fort Recovery, and Jeannie Backs of Dayton, Ohio; his in-laws, Betty Lange of St. Henry; Vernon Lange of St. Henry, Virgil Lange of St. Henry, Joann Davis of Celina, Esther Lange of New Bremen, Virginia (Earl) Goewert of St. Henry; Luella (Glen) Klosterman of Galena, Ohio, Betty (Herb) Hamberg of Coldwater, Shirley (Dennis) Hartke of Sidney, Dave (Pam) Lange of Coldwater, and Tom (Brenda) Lange of St. Henry.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his great grandson, Declan; his siblings, Harold (Gertrude) Backs, Arthur (Ruth) Backs, Donald (Alfrieda) Backs, Bernice (Adrian) Kaup, Maurice Backs, Alice (John) Fiely, and Robert Backs; his sister-in-law, Lois Backs; and his in-laws, Donald (Betty) Lange, Alfred Lange, Rosemary (Leroy) Bensman, Marjorie (Vincent) Schoenherr, Katie Lange, Regina Lange, Ed Davis, and Dutch (Lucy) Lange; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In 1957, Paul was drafted into the United States Army, where he served his country honorably while stationed in Germany. Following his military service, he returned home to the family farm and began a lifelong career in agriculture, dedicating himself to the farming way of life. In addition to farming, Paul also served the community as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in St. Henry for 30 years.

Paul was a member of the Progressive Sportsman Club, the Fort Recovery American Legion, and St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he was also a member of the Men's Sodality.

Known for his personality and humor, Paul was truly full of life and laughter. He loved sharing jokes, telling stories, and making sure those around him were enjoying themselves. Paul also found great joy in the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, fox hunting, mushroom hunting, and pitching horseshoes. One of the highlights of each year was the annual fishing trip he shared with his brothers to Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee.

Above all else, Paul cherished his family. He treasured every opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking great pride in their accomplishments. The love he shared with his family and friends will be remembered for generations to come.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, June 4, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Guests may visit with Paul's family on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM, and again on Thursday from 9:00 AM until 9:45 AM, at Brockman Boeckman Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be given to EverHeart Hospice or the Mercer County Challenger Baseball.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.