Mrs. Juanita M. Paulus, 97, of Rochester passed away at 7:40 AM on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester.

On December 27, 1922, Juanita May Nellans was born in Kosciusko County.  She was a treasured daughter of Dean C. and Ethel Tucker Nellans.  Growing up as the second oldest of the Nellans kids she shared her childhood with Jerry, Dean and Jean.   Juanita graduated from Mentone High School in 1940. During her high school years she was a Bulldog cheerleader, cheering her basketball sweetheart "Bud," to many victories.

During her senior year, Juanita's mother was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident sliding on ice when she and Dean were transporting eggs to Chicago.  Juanita stepped up and helped her Dad finish raising her baby sister, seven years younger, Norma Jean.  During this time, she also attended Ft. Wayne Beauty College earning a diploma in cosmetology.

On February 9, 1945,  Juanita and Eldred "Bud" Paulus, high school sweethearts were married in Larwell. They shared 54 years of life's adventures.  From their union came two wonderful children, Rita and Brent.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two more generations.

When her children became school age, Mrs. Paulus worked as a secretary for Burton Mechanical Contractors.  Later she accepted the same position at Rochester Junior High.  Many will remember her at the superintendent's office serving Rochester Community Schools as treasurer until she retired in 1989.  She always handled her job with graciousness, class, and style greeting all she met with a warm smile and twinkling eyes.

As a member of the Grace United Methodist Church for over six decades, Juanita belonged to the United Methodist Women and some of the ladies Circles.  She also held life memberships with the Daughter's of the American Revolution and Eastern Star.  As a member of the Friends of the Fulton County Library for many years, she was an avid reader.  In recent years, she enjoyed spirited games of euchre with her friends at the senior center.

In the early years, Juanita served her children and their friends as Cub Scout Den mother and Girl Scout Troop #219 leader. Devoted to her family, she was an accomplished seamstress making many clothes for her family.  She also annually planted a huge truck patch garden, then canned and froze the bountiful harvest for winters use.

As the matriarch of the Paulus family, Grandma was proud to oversee four generations.  Boiler-up!  She was a huge Purdue football fan, with the essence of her interest in the Purdue All-American Marching Band.  Son Brent in the late 1970's then grandson Daniel in the late 1990's - early 2001 were members of the prestigious and highly regarded band.  Many memories were made when the family traveled to Pasadena, California for the 2001 Rose Bowl Parade and game.

Left to cherish Juanita's memory are a daughter, Rita Funk and husband Hugh of Rochester; a son, Brent Paulus and wife Mary of Plymouth, Michigan; four grandchildren: Daniel Funk and wife Alicia, Brian Funk, Amanda Paulus and Andrew Paulus; and 1 great-grandson Jonah Eldred Funk.  Also surviving are many special nieces and nephews and their families.

Preceding Juanita in death are her parents Dean and Ethel Nellans; beloved husband Bud on March 16, 1999; two sisters: Geraldine "Jerry" Smith, and Norma Jean Clauss; and a brother, Dean C. Nellans Jr.

A celebration of the life of Juanita M. Paulus will be at 2:00 PM on Thursday,  October 15, 2020 in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18 ^th St. of Rochester. Friends may visit with the family from noon until the hour of the service.   Pastor Jeff Taylor will officiate.  Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 201 West 7th Street, Rochester,  46975.