Paul Thomas Wing
Paul Thomas Wing went to see Jesus and praise God in heaven on October 15, 2023.
Paul was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on January 3, 1940, to Howard Thomas and Wilma Burgan (Meek) Wing, joining his sisters Roberta and Ardith, Mary, and Martha and Norma. They were the fourth generation of Thomas and Elizabeth Wing, who came from England in 1853 to settle on 40 acres in Assyria Township, Barry County, MI. The farm grew to 440 acres and is still farmed by the 5th and 6th generations today.
Paul was a farmer first and made time to serve his community. He earned the “American Farmer” degree in FFA and completed the two-year Agricultural Short Course at Michigan Agricultural College (later MSU). He went on to serve on the Bellevue School Board and many boards in Barry County, including Farm Bureau, Conservation District Board, and Conservation Easement Board. He was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association for over 35 years. He was especially passionate in his “retirement” about preserving farmland, and recently received recognition from the state of Michigan for his lifelong work in agriculture preservation.
Most important to Paul was his faith in Jesus Christ. He was active at Baseline UMC, holding several offices on the church board and participating in many events where he worshiped God and enjoyed singing in the choir for many years.
Paul married Alma Sue Olmstead, his kindergarten crush and high school sweetheart, in Bellevue, Michigan on September 5, 1959. They raised five Christian children: Jennifer Jane (Brian) Krauss, Abby Anne (Leo) Green, Thomas Jason (Heather) Wing, Beth Michele (Roy) Hoffman, and Rebecca (Becky) Lucille (Glenn) Noffsinger. Liz (Jesse) Crofoot also joined the family, as have 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. All survive him, as well as his sister, Norma (Richard) Gregg; sisters-in-law Ilene MacDonald and Alice Palatas; brother-in-law, Bob Erwin; and many nieces and nephews.
Paul will be remembered for his love of his family, showing up when others needed help, loving unconditionally, and appreciating a good joke and a game of cards. He is surely rejoicing in heaven and will be greatly missed here on earth.
Paul will be laid to rest at Bell Cemetery in Assyria Township directly after a church service to honor his life at Baseline Church, 9617 E Baseline Road, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 on Saturday, October 21, 2023, with visitation from 10:00-12:00, funeral at 12:00, and a luncheon at church following the burial. Services will be by Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services and officiated by Pastors Barry Case and Peggy Baker. Memorials in Paul’s honor can be made to Baseline Church.