Paul E. Rich, 63 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away at 12:00 NOON on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 in the Parkview Hospital located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Paul was born on Wednesday, September 20, 1944 in Upland, California the son of the late Paul R. Rich and the late Mary F. (Koos) Rich Scheumann. He married Sharon L. Straub on June 13, 1970 in the Salem United Church of Christ, Magley and she survives. Paul was a member of the Salem United Church of Christ, Magley; Adams County Lodge #127 Fraternal Order of Police; Indiana Association Chief Police; Michigan-Indiana-Ohio Law Enforcement Association; and the TROT-A-BOUTS Trailer Club. Paul was a graduate of the Pleasant Mills High School Class of 1962. Paul started working for WADM Radio, then worked for the Decatur Daily Democrat before going to the Decatur Police Department in 1969. Paul was the former Chief of Police for the srving from 1988 until his retirement on July 5, 1993 with 24 years of service with the department. Then in August of 1993 he started with WZBD Radio where he worked until his death. Paul was currently serving on the Root Township Advisory Board. Surviving are his wife, Sharon L. Rich of Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Cristina M. (Tony) Worth of Decatur, Indiana; son, Lynn E. (Carrie) Rich of Syracuse, Indiana; step-brother, Rev. Leroy (Joyce) Scheumann of Isanti, Minnesota; step-sister, Joan DeLaRosa of Las Vegas, Nevada; three granddaughters, Lauren Worth, Ashten Worth, Morgan Rich and one grandson, Julian Rich. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 12, 2008 in the Salem United Church of Christ, Magley with Pastor Linn Bartling officiating. Interment will follow in the Salem U.C.C. Cemetery, Magley. Friends will be received from 1-4:30 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2008 in the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Preferred memorials are to the Music Fund at Salem U.C.C. Church, Magley.
