Paul Henry DeYoung

Paul Henry DeYoung, age 75 of Lake Village, Indiana passed away unexpectedly on November 27, 2024. Paul was steady, quiet and like most Dutchmen, stubborn. Which makes it all the more surprising to those that he loved that he is absent from this world. He has always been there to help his children fix the shingles on a roof, to remove a pesky groundhog for his neighbors, to drop off some tomatoes and sweet corn to friends, or to show his grandchildren how to drive a tractor. Paul was there. He was born in Rensselaer, Indiana to Cecil and Alice (née Klemp) DeYoung on September 6, 1949 and grew up in DeMotte. He graduated from DeMotte High School in 1967. After high school he worked as a carpenter for Dick Peterson and Gene DeYoung working in brick and block and building houses. After working as a carpenter, Paul started farming full time. He married Teresa (née Williams) on March 8, 1969 in DeMotte. Rumor has it there is a photo of the two on an 650 Triumph motorcycle, Paul once tore through town on. But, he crashed it and swore never to ride a motorcycle again. Paul and Teresa bought a house and farm outside of Lake Village where they lived and bickered incessantly with love and care for over 56 years. They raised four boys, Paul (Mandy) DeYoung, of Fort Myers Florida, Randy (Stephanie) DeYoung of Middletown, Indiana, Ron (Julie) DeYoung of Morocco, Indiana, and Josh (Sara) DeYoung of Lake Village, Indiana. He was blessed with five grandchildren, Nathan, Breanna (Brandon), Otto, Evelyn, and Emmett, and one great-grandson, Gabriel. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Calvin DeYoung. He is survived by his sister Lorretta Hamstra, wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. His grandchildren were the joy of his life. He loved to take them fishing and trapping, and on tractor rides, ranger rides and wagon rides. Paul enjoyed gardening, always planting more than he and Teresa, his children, grandchildren and the neighbors could pick or eat. He was especially particular and proud of his sweet corn. The family would squabble about when the corn had kernels big enough to eat or if it was too tough. He guarded his sweet corn patch fiercely from any raccoon or other creature that might try to sneak an ear. His fuel and his vice was warm Mt. Dew. Paul also never met a shovel handle or a five gallon bucket he could refuse. An avid trapper and hunter, he was a member of the Indiana and National Trapper Associations. He enjoyed trapping, hunting and skinning all sorts of critters and sharing his wisdom with his children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends. Up until the day he died he did what he loved, which was farming and spending time with his family. He was a man of few words and kept a close council but if you were in his tight knit group, you were never cold. Paul's generosity and kindness kept you warm. Cremation rites are being provided by Jackson Funeral Service of DeMotte. The Celebration of Life for Paul Henry DeYoung will be Saturday, January 18 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Lake Township Community Center 9828 N 300 W, Lake Village. The family invites those who want to share stories and memories of Paul. Light refreshments will be served.

Paul Henry DeYoung

September 6, 1949 - November 27, 2024