FORMERLY BELOIT – Paul Francis Grelinger passed away on May 20, 2022.
Paul was born June 17, 1933 on his family’s farm in Mitchell County, Kansas, 5 miles north of Beloit. He was the third of seven children to Anthony and Sophia Grelinger.
Paul attended grade school and high school at St. John’s Catholic school. Although farm work kept him from many other school activities, Paul did play on the high school basketball team and occasionally trapped at Plum Creek where he caught, skinned, and sold the furs of skunks, possums, and raccoons.
Paul graduated from St. John’s in 1951 and continued to work on the family farm for the next five and a half years. He also farmed for others with the combine that he and his brother bought, and on the 40-acre farm he purchased. Paul joined the Kansas National Guard in 1952, eventually achieving Sergeant E5 after an eight-year term. He also worked for Bell Memorial helping to transport and set gravestones.
In January of 1957 Paul enrolled at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and lived in Stephenson scholarship hall. He was a member of the University’s Catholic Newman Club and became its president during his senior year. In May 1960, Paul graduated cum laude from KU with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, passed his CPA exam and joined the accounting firm of Peat, Marwick & Mitchell in Kansas City, MO as an auditor.
In April of his senior year Paul asked his future wife, Mary Ann Waddell, to attend a formal school dance for their first date, and on June 24, 1961, they were married at Christ the King Church in Kansas City, Kansas. They made their home in Kansas City, Kansas for 48 years while raising 5 children, until they moved in March of 2010 to a small 10 acre farm in western Johnson County, Kansas.
Paul also worked at Macy’s, Strongheart Dog Food, American Salt Company, and the State of Kansas.
Paul was an enthusiastic hiker and backpacker and explored the Appalachian Trail and other trails in Missouri, Arkansas, Colorado, and Wyoming. He enjoyed sail boating, canoeing, and camping trips with his family in his pop-up trailer, visiting his favorite places in Colorado and the Ozarks. With his wife and children, he frequently traveled back to his hometown of Beloit, Kansas to visit his parents and other relatives, and especially to attend the annual St. John's Harvest Festival.
Paul will always be remembered as a man of the highest integrity and conviction. His Catholic faith was central in his life, and he had a strong desire to help others. He was a life-long member of the Beloit Knights of Columbus, attended daily Mass up until he was no longer able due to his Alzheimer’s disease, and on most Saturdays participated in pro-life prayer vigils to save children from abortion.
After God, Paul loved his family the most. He was an amazing role model and father to his five children. His love was demonstrated by his countless “acts of service” which were exemplified over and over in their lives.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his older brothers Larry and John. He is survived by Mary Ann, wife of 61 years, son Dan (Deanna) of Gladstone, MO, daughter Ann (Bob) Sanders of Franklin, KS, daughter Joan and son-in-law Phil Radakovich, both of Olathe, KS, daughter Barb (Clay) Phillips of Olathe, KS, and son Tom (Beth) of Liberty, MO. Paul is also survived by siblings Norbert of Beloit, Bob (Susan) of Derby, KS, Margaret Keeler (Don) of Oak Island, NC, and Don of Beloit, and by 19 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 31, from 5pm to 7pm, (rosary @ 6pm) at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS. Requiem (Latin) Funeral Mass will be June 1st @ 9am at St. Rose Philippine Catholic Church, 5035 Rainbow Blvd, Mission Woods, KS. Interment following Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1150 N 38th St, Kansas City, KS. In lieu of flowers Paul would have wanted Mass intentions, or donations to Pro-Life organizations working to save the lives of innocent babies in the womb. Please support: https://valuethemboth.com/ donate/
