Paul James Zintsmaster, 93, of rural Roann, Indiana, peacefully took the hand of his Lord and Savior at his home on Sunday, March 9, at 9:54 a.m. Paul was a hard-working man who loved God, his family, his country, and Mercury cars. He was born on Dec. 3, 1931, to the late Charles and Leota (Haecker) Zintsmaster, in rural Wabash County at the family farmhouse along the Salamonie River.
Paul was the youngest of six children, Thelma (Ed) Haecker, Fern (Lawrence) Boyer, Lois (Virgil) Swears, Mary (Walter) Behrends, and Daniel (Teriko Kajita) Zintsmaster all who preceded him in death. Paul was preceded in death by his eldest and beloved son, Douglas Paul Zintsmaster, and is survived by his dedicated wife of 69 years, E. Joann (Hively) Zintsmaster, daughter, Sheila (Chris) Doran of Westerville, Ohio, son Alan (Michele) Zintsmaster of Roann, son David (Irish) Zintsmaster of North Manchester, 13 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
As a child, Paul enjoyed Saturday afternoon Westerns at the Old Colonial Theater in Wabash, farm life, and fishing in the Salamonie River. In 1949 he graduated as a Lincolnville High School Goldbug, where he played basketball and was one of five students in the last graduating class in the school’s history. The school never had the luxury of a gymnasium, so the basketball team practiced in the school yard and traveled to Lagro High School for games.
Paul then worked for the Wabash Spencer-Cardinal Corporation making phonograph, radio, and TV cabinets. After he saved up enough money Paul happily bought his first car, a black 1935 Ford Coupe with a rumble seat that was welded shut. In 1952 Paul proudly carried on family tradition when he was drafted by the U.S. Army and trained as a radio operator and Morse Code specialist for the Korean War, where his brother, Daniel, was also stationed. Paul’s grandfather and uncle, Daniel and John Zintsmaster (respectively), both served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Upon his return from Korea, Paul returned to Wabash and worked at General Tire & Rubber Company, where he met and later married Joann on Apr. 6, 1956, at Friends Church. In addition, he moved to and began farming in Miami County on March 20, 1959, where he resided and worked for the remainder of his life. After 38 years of dedicated service to General Tire, Paul “retired” and worked another nine years for The Cleaning Company at the Wabash Honeywell Center.
Over the years, Paul and Joann opened up their hearts and their home to 30 foster children and for another 12 adults who needed a temporary home. Paul was an active member of the Wabash Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and the Laketon American Legion Post #402. He served for several years on the Miami County 4-H Council, enjoyed helping people, contributed to the Roann Covered Bridge rebuild, and the annual Stockdale Mill spring clean-up. Paul was an avid gardener who loved to share his produce with family and friends and was affectionately known as “The Tomato Man.” In his spare time, Paul gathered and cracked black walnuts and hickory nuts, enjoyed reading and eating popcorn.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, March 17, 2025 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Home, 1241 Manchester Ave, Wabash, Indiana, with Pastor Jody Tyner officiating. Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at the funeral home. Paul will be laid to rest with military honors at Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash.
Preferred memorials are to Roann Covered Bridge Association or Stockdale Mill Association.
