Paul Kilzer, 87, Hooper Ridge, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on April 4, 2023, at his home after an extended illness.
Paul was born on Jan. 20, 1936, to Ernest and Mae Unger Kilzer in the Marr/Sycamore Valley area of Monroe County.
After he graduated from Bethel High School in 1954, he attended Ohio University. There he met his best friend and love of his life, Mary Ann Linscott Kilzer, while they both worked at Baker Center’s Frontier Room.
Paul worked for Union Carbide, and then returned to Ohio University as Equipment Room Manager at Grover Center where he worked for 35-plus years until he retired in 1999. Through his years at Grover Center he met lifetime friends and was considered a mentor by many students.
Paul enjoyed showing his quarter horse, Brock, in early years. He was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying bass fishing, gun and bow hunting. Paul enjoyed farming, especially raising Charolais cattle and spending time on the Massey Ferguson on his Poverty Knob farm. Paul was a member of the NRA and an advocate of the Second Amendment. He recently accepted Christ and was a member of McDougal Church.
Paul and Mary Ann celebrated 66 years of marriage on Jan. 28. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children, Cathy (Stanley) Strode, of Chesterhill, Louis (Kerensa) Kilzer, of Amesville and Krista (Tim) Antle, of Athens; grandchildren, Nathan (Maggie) Strode, Kimberly (Steve) Shuster, Rebecca (Samuel) Thompson, Klayton Kilzer, Jacob, Maralee and Grace Antle; great-grandchildren, Austin (Sami) Strode, McKensie Strode, Brayden Strode, Kaitlyn, Breanna and Micah Thompson and Mia Shuster; great-great-grandchildren, Asher and Nova Strode; a childhood friend, LaVerne Winland; and several cousins.
In addition to his parents, Paul is preceded in death by an infant brother, Melvin Kilzer and special cousin, AJ Baker.
Funeral service was held Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens, with Stanley Strode officiating. Burial was in Hooper Ridge Cemetery, Amesville. Friends were received Friday, April 7, 2023, and prior to services at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ohio Health Hospice, 3430 OhioHealth Parkway Floor 3, Columbus, OH 43202. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www. jagersfuneralhome.com.
