Paul D. McElhinney died Mar. 15, 2010, at Mercy Hospital hospice in Iowa City, Iowa, having attained the age of 78 years, 9 months and 9 days. He was born May 6, 1931, in Morning Sun, Iowa, to Matthew McClurkin McElhinney and Iva E. Reynolds McElhinney.

On Feb. 23, 1957 Paul married Evelyn Mae Pretz in Wapello, Iowa. She survives him. To this union were born two surviving sons and one daughter; Matt McElhinney and fiancée Annemarie Prajel of Bakersfield, Calif., Mark & Sandy McElhinney of Morning Sun, Iowa, and Susan & Shane Barron of New London, Iowa; and six grandchildren.

He was baptized and later joined the Sharon RPC in Morning Sun, Iowa. He was ordained an elder on Dec. 29, 1969, a position he held until his death. Paul was active in body until the last months of his life, and his mind was sharp until the Lord called him home.

He farmed in the Morning Sun area all his life, where he had built up a cow-calf herd, sold seed corn and was active in the community. His love for his Lord also spilled out in his love for the people, particularly young people, of the community of Morning Sun, Iowa. He was active in church, 4-H, as a baseball coach and many other youth activities. He never knew a person long before he wanted to know where that person was concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and two brothers. We have lost a counselor and friend; his presence will be missed. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…

They will rest from their labor, For their deeds will follow them” (Rev. 14:13).

—*The Sharon RPC Session*