Paul John Eichman, age 94, passed away on November 20, 2024, at the Gove County Medical Center.  He was born on September 24, 1930, on the family farm in South central Trego County, Kansas the son of John and Bertha (Bender) Eichman.  He was the ninth child and first son of nine sisters and four brothers.

Paul grew up on the farm near Trego Center where he attended Zion Lutheran Church and was baptized on November 16, 1930.  German was the only language spoken at home and at church, so Paul entered first grade unable to speak English.  Nonetheless, he graduated from a one-room school and from Trego Community Hight School, WaKeeney in 1949.

Paul began his working career at Reinecker's IGA in WaKeeney as a carry out boy, then moved up to meat cutter, and then assistant manager. This led to a life-long career in the grocery and meat industry.  He later managed the Quinter Co-op Grocery Store and then became a meat and poultry inspector for the State of Kansas.  After few short years, Paul was promoted to the area supervisor for Northwest Kansas.  After 26 plus years on the job, Paul retired on March 22, 1996.

Paul served on the Quinter Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years, the last two as Fire Chief and he was also one of the original pioneers of the Quinter Ambulance Service.  He served eight years on the Quinter City Council and was a member and past president of the Quinter Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce.

On June 19, 1950, Paul married Norma Yvonne Bird.  Together they raised their three sons in Quinter.  She preceded him in death on June 23, 2015.

Paul is survived by his three sons, Randy Eichman and his wife, Shirley, of Fort Myers, Florida, Gene Eichman and his wife, Kathleen, of Aurora, Colorado, and James Eichman, of Aurora, Colorado; granddaughter, Nicole (Mitch) Percival; and great granddaughter, Ava Percival.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brothers and sisters.

A funeral service will be held at the Quinter Methodist Church on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial in the Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Gove County Medical Center or the Quinter Methodist Church.

Memories and words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book.

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