Paul Eklund

Paul A. Eklund, 93, of Zion, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, February 6, 2009. Paul was born June 27, 1915 in Titusville, Pennsylvania and came to Zion in 1939 from DeKalb, Illinois. He was a lifelong active member of Christian Assembly of God Church in Zion. He received his Bachelors Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University and his Masters Degree in Arts from Northwestern University in Illinois. His first job was in 1939 in Zion at Elmwood School. He worked there as a teacher for two years and he taught every subject. After that he worked at both East School as a teacher and principal and Lakeview School where he served as principal for 27 years. Altogether, he worked in education for 37 years, retiring in 1976. He was also a former Commissioner of the Zion Park District during the time the Zion Pool and Shiloh Park Golf Course were developed. Paul enjoyed golfing for many years. Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Ila; children, Richard (Nancy) Eklund of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Timothy Eklund of Douglas, Wyoming, Jeffrey (Connie) Eklund of Beach Park and David (Terese) Eklund of Zion; grandchildren, Amy (Caleb), Matthew, Daniel, Beth (Amine), Alexander (Batina), Cortney, Ashley, Jeffrey, Kristina (Jeff) and Sheena; great-grandchildren, Julien, Nadia, Victoria, Ethan and Locke; and siblings, Milton Eklund of Hampton, Iowa and Bernice (William) Sucha of Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by siblings, Margaret Burley and Roland Eklund; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Eklund; and his parents, Axel and Frida Eklund. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 11, 2009, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Christian Assembly of God Church, 2929 Bethel Blvd., Zion. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 12th, at 11:00 a.m. at Christian Assembly of God Church with Pastor Ken Fielding officiating. Interment will follow at Millburn Cemetery, Millburn, Illinois. Memorial contributions to the family have been suggested.