Paul Holsopple

Paul Holsopple, 68, of Fort Wayne Indiana, passed away Friday, May 20, 2011 at Parkview North Hospital from complications following living with a brain tumor for over two years. He was a faithful member of the Maplewood Mennonite Church. Paul will be remembered as a loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather and mentor. He was a pillar of quiet strength in family life and in his community. Paul was passionate about serving others and enjoyed taking on creative projects. His remarkably positive perspective and trust in God allowed Paul to smile in the face of adversity, bring joy to others with his laugh, and hope for the best. He was aware of the needs of others and found ways to offer support.Paul received a degree in electronics from DeVry Technical School in Chicago. He worked for Sauder’s TV, sold church furniture for Sauder’s Manufacturing in Archbold, Ohio, and did electronic repair for Feichter’s Electronics, J.C. Penney and KiPS Electronics. He also worked at Delagrange Ford in New Haven, Indiana. After thoughtful prayer, Paul sensed the call of God to start a Christian bookstore in Northeast Fort Wayne that birthed the Anchor Room Bookstore. Paul was Co-Owner with Pauline of the Anchor Room Christian Book Store. The couple started the business in 1969 in their basement. At one time, the store employed 65 people and saw 400 to 500 customers a day. The bookstore was in Maplewood Plaza for 28 years before moving to 4530 Lahmeyer Road in 1998. Slumping sales led the store to close in 2009 and become an exclusively online business at www.anchorroom.com .He was a member of the Gideon's, the Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC), and Board member of the Associated Churches of Fort Wayne. Paul also volunteered for the East Wayne St. Center. Paul Holsopple was born in Hollsopple, Pennsylvania on May 4, 1943 to Naomi (dec) and Alvin Holsopple (dec). Surviving are his wife of forty-eight years, Pauline (Aeschliman) Holsopple; son Conrad (Kristy) Holsopple of Everett, WA; daughter, Tonya (Gordon) Miller of Leo, IN; grandchildren, Jessica, Joshua, Zachary, Noah, Kienan, Kiana, and Korban; sisters, Mary (Robert) Miller of Lakeland, FL, and Martha (Mark) Miller of Boswell PA. brothers, David (Aldine) Holsopple of Wauseon, OH., Tom (Marcia) Holsopple of West Unity, OH, James (Sandy) Holsopple of Stryker, OH, Mark (Connie) Holsopple of Archbold OH., and John (Cindy) Holsopple of Todd, NC. The funeral service is Friday 10am, May 27, 2011 at Maplewood Mennonite Church, 4129 Maplecrest Rd with calling 1 hour prior, Rev. Barry Schmell officiating. Calling will also be Thursday, May 26, 2011 2 to 5pm & 6 to 8pm at the church. D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Pettisville Cemetery, Pettisville, Ohio at 4:00 pm. Memorials may be made to the Maplewood Mennonite Church. To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com