Paul Heiser Obituary

Paul E. Heiser Sr.

Paul E. Heiser Sr, 101 years of age, was freed from his earthly bonds Thursday morning, April 16, 2026. He departed peacefully while sleeping at his home on North Union Street, where he has resided for the past 68 years.

Paul was born in Galion, October 2, 1924, at home to Robert and Hilda (Monet) Heiser. He married Faythe Kurtz, December 17, 1949, in Galion, and she passed away August 22, 2015. His children are David (Rebecca) Heiser of Fostoria, Pam (Bill) Paas of Hopkins, Michigan, Paul (Ed) E. Heiser Jr. of Fostoria, Brian (Terri) Heiser of McComb, and Holly (Brad) Fisher of Findlay.

He was preceded by his parents; wife; brothers, Frederick "Fritz" (Ethel) of Montana, Robert "Bud" (Emma) of Galion, Kenneth (Dorothy) of Galion, James (Ellie) of Galion, and sister, Grace Lucille McMahan (Mac) of Tennessee.

Paul graduated from Galion High School in 1942. Shortly after graduation and a short stint at Galion Iron Works, he was drafted into the Army. A WWII veteran, he served as a Staff Sergeant and played the bugle during his service from 1942-1945 in the European theater. As far as can be ascertained, he is believed to be the last surviving member of the 124th AAA Gun Battalion. One of his proudest achievements was authoring a memoir of his experiences during WWII. In recent years, one of his annual highlights was attending WWII reenactments in Conneaut, where he sold many of his books and donated the proceeds to the event. He delighted in talking to many of the reenactors (and vice versa), enjoying their interest and the respect they accorded him for his service those many years ago.

He continued his educational pursuits after returning home from the war, taking advantage of the GI Bill to earn a BA in Business with a major in Accounting from BGSU in 1949. He also qualified for his pilot's license before he graduated, due to his lifelong love of flying.

Another momentous stage in his life also began that year when he married Faythe L. Kurtz, December 17, 1949. Thus began a lifetime relationship resulting in over 65 years of marriage and a partnership that included raising a family of five; enjoying a life of traveling, camping, church activities, along with a musical partnership that began in the Sunday School orchestra in Galion and blossomed into a lifetime of singing and playing the organ or piano for church activities.

Paul began his accounting career in 1950 and worked until 1986 in a variety of roles in the accounting department. This began an enjoyable 40-year retirement and an appreciation/wide smile for having retired for more years than he worked. He did dabble in the working world for a while, working part-time, driving cars for a local car dealership and greeting friends for Floriana Funeral Home.

He was also an active member of the community since moving to Fostoria in those early years. One of the most enjoyable and consistent was his membership in the Fostoria Community Band until well into his 80s, where he played his trumpet alongside his fellow music lovers. Faythe was his most dedicated "groupie," traveling to wherever the band played during their performing season.

An important part of his life involved participating in various church activities, including serving as Choir Director, soloist, Sunday School teacher and a member of the Church consistory as deacon, elder and trustee and as a member of the Building Committee for Grace United Church located on North 23.

Other volunteer activities included the Board of Christian Education, Sharing Kitchen, Salvation Army, and weekly visits to Good Shepherd Home, where Paul would give a short meditation and a musical selection, which would often include a solo and accompaniment from Faythe.

Other organizations of which he was a member included the VFW and the American Legion, and a 70-plus-year membership at Geary Family YMCA, where he regularly played racquetball with his buddies, Dave Zoll and Harry Loving, eventually giving way to competing with his children and grandchildren. Additional athletic interests included tennis, volleyball, swimming, and motorcycling, some of which were enjoyed on Friday Family Night at the Y. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.

Family was very important to him, and he enjoyed spending time with them whenever he could. His 15 grandchildren included Gabrielle Fox, Myra Spires, Nathanael Heiser, Antoinette Rivera, Samantha Garrett, Jason Bloom, Erika Distel, Heather Heiser, Isaac Heiser, Alex Heiser, Seth Osborne, Kama Kett, Michael Paas, John Paas, and Boden Fisher. They combined to give him a total of 31 great-grandchildren and counting.

Paul was not only an exemplary family man but also an outstanding example for the many community members whose lives he touched. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2026, at Harrold-Floriana Funeral Home, Fostoria. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to the annual D-Day reenactment event at: https://www.ddayohio.us/donations.html

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hffh.net