Oscar H. Paulsen Obituary (1934 - 2018)

Oscar H. Paulsen, age 84, of Greenville, passed away Sunday morning, April 29, 2018 at his home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice. The son of Charles Henry & Edna E. (McKillop) Martin, he was born on April 5, 1934, in McBride, and at the age of five was adopted by Carl N. & Thyra (Reed) Paulsen. He was a 1952 graduate of Greenville High School and on Aug. 7, 1953, in Greenville, he married Wanda Lee Linebaugh. Oscar studied engineering at Ferris State University and spent his career in the automobile industry, starting out in the tool and die trade, then in supervisory and management roles with Tower Iron Works, and lastly as a tool and die maker with General Motors. Oscar had attended the First Congregation Church in Greenville and he was also a member of Rockford Masonic Lodge No. 246, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 215, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Royal Arch Masons, Moose Lodge, Sons of the American Legion, as well as being a member of the Saladin Shriners. With the Shriners he served in a number of offices, including Child Care Chairman, Marshall, and Chief Aide, and was a member of the Midway, Grand Valley, and Caravan Shrine Clubs, the Legion of Honor unit, the Royal Order of the Jesters Court No. 11, El Hajj Caravan No. 7, and participated in numerous parades and circuses. He had also been a member of the Jaycees and had been a very active leader with the Boy Scouts of America. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Ethel Paulsen; a grandson, Adam Spry; a sister, Faith White; and two brothers, Gerald "Jerry" Paulsen and Lisle Martin. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Wanda Paulsen of Greenville; their children, Joann "Jo" Spry of Vestaburg, Robert & Diana Paulsen of Oak Grove , Kentucky, Douglas & Karen Paulsen of Trufant, and Carla & Frank Martinek of Antioch, Illinois; fourteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; a brother, George & Dottie Wadsworth of Deland, Florida; siblings-in-law, William Linebaugh of Greenville, Shirley Downer of Belding, Delbert & Karen Linebaugh of Belding, Leonard & Jennie Linebaugh of Greenville, Opal Linebaugh of Greenville, and Karine Linebaugh of Belding. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday (with Eastern Star and Masonic ceremonies beginning at 7:00 p.m.) at Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Little Denmark Cemetery, Gowen. Instead of flowers, Oscar would have appreciated contributions to Shriner's Hospitals for Children. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.