Joe R. Maldonado

PAUL A. LOHR of Riverside, CA passed away peacefully at home on December 29, 2014 at age 91. He was born on September 25, 1923 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to August and Mae Lohr. After growing up in Ft. Wayne, Paul decided to follow his father's example and became a Lutheran parochial school teacher. He graduated from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois, in June of 1946. He was called to teach at Zion Lutheran School in Anaheim, CA where he served until 1958. It was there he met his wife of 67 years, Elayne Winger. They were married July 13, 1947. In 1958, Paul became a business partner in the egg ranch of his father-in-law, Erick Winger. Paul moved the ranch to the Lake Matthews area in 1963, operating it until 1985. Paul and Elayne moved to Riverside in 1964, building their home in 1966. In 1979 Paul and two partners opened The Farm Barn, a garden and hardware store in Riverside. Paul became sole owner and operated the store until 1995 when he closed the store and retired. Paul was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church since 1964 where he served as Senior Choir Director for nineteen years. Paul enjoyed tennis, photography, golf, and water sports. He and Elayne traveled the world extensively, and enjoyed making memories with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in Palm Desert and Lake Havasu. He is survived by his beloved wife Elayne, sister Virginia Harwood of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, daughter Kristen Silsby of Riverside, son Stuart and his wife Janet of Riverside, grandchildren Summer Anderson and her husband Quinton of Irvine, Scott Silsby of Riverside, Carrie Johnson and her husband Jordan of Riverside, Todd Lohr and his wife Jamie of Aliso Viejo, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Steven Lohr. There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Riverside. Suggested memorials are Immanuel Lutheran Church, Riverside and Concordia University, Irvine.