Paul D. Paustian, a 90 year-old Sheridan, WY resident, died Tuesday, December 8, 2009, in Westview Health Care Center, Sheridan.

Paul was born February 18, 1919 to Henry & Stella (Maxwell) Paustian in Balantine, Montana.

Their family moved to Ranchester, Wyoming in 1925 and ran the HN Ranch just south of there on Wolf Creek. Paul attended the Ranchester Schools for 12 years and graduated in 1937. He then attended the University of Wyoming where he graduated in 1941 with a degree in Agronomy. At the University of Wyoming he was a member of the Stock Judging team in 1940 & 1941, enrolled in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps, was a member of Alfa Zeta Honorary Fraternity, and was the President of the University of Wyoming Association of Independent Students.

Paul married Helen Kumor in 1942 and then ran his Father’s Ranch (The Box J) until it was sold in 1948. Then he taught Veterans under an Agriculture Training program for 6 years, and later ran a number of businesses in Ranchester before he started working for the Wyoming Employment Security Commission, where he retired as an Unemployment Area Manager after working there for 20 years. After retiring in 1984 he started doing Volunteer work as a Veteran Escort at the Sheridan Veterans Medical Center till 2008. He had over 5,000 hours of volunteer work throughout his 24 years of volunteering at the Veterans Hospital. Paul was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge #520, where he has been a member since 1945. As an active member of the Elks Lodge, he volunteered for numerous activities and was named 1990-1991 Elk of the Year. Paul loved his family and enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, gardening, and helping others.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his parents, two brothers Chris and Clarence Paustian, and four sisters, Gladys Janich, Mamie Zoutte, Dorothy Hayes, and Thelma Clark.

Paul is survived by his four sons, Larry Paustian of Phoenix, Dan Paustian of Sheridan, Jim Paustian of Albuquerque and Paul Paustian of Las Cruces, N.M.; nine grandchildren; three great grandchildren; a sister Lois Washut of Sheridan; numerous nieces and nephews, and his companion Ada Smith of Sheridan.

Visitation for Mr. Paustian will be from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P. M. Monday, December 14, 2009 at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 11:00am Tuesday (Dec. 15th) in the Elks Section of the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery with George Tellez officiating. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorials may benefit the Elks Lodge #520 Building Fund, PO Box 2031, Sheridan, WY 82801.

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