Paul N. Van Lew / 1954-2008

Published 1:35 pm Thursday, March 6, 2008

By Staff
Paul N. Van Lew, 53, of North Redbud Trail, Buchanan, died at 11:50 p.m., Monday, March 3, 2008, at Lakeland Specialty Care, Berrien Center, of an extended illness.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 10, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Robert Hamilton of Saint Peter's Evangelical Church, Galien.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 9, at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles. Full military honors will follow the services at the graveside by the American Legion Post No. 51, Buchanan.
He was born on Aug. 3, 1954, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. to Irving William Van Lew Sr. and Roberta Mae Cruse.
He lived in Buchanan since 1986, coming from Bunkie, La. He graduated from River Valley High School with the Class of 1947.
He was formerly employed at Niles Chemical Paint in Niles.
A veteran of the Vietnam Era, Van Lew served in the United States Navy.
Van Lew bowled at Whites Bowling Alley in Niles on the Friday Night Leagues. He enjoyed cooking and was known as the "Rib Master."
On Nov. 21, 1992, in Niles, he married Florence A. Van Lew, who survives.
Additional surviving family includes two daughters, Tricia L. Van Lew of Buchanan and Paula A. Van Lew of Mishawaka, Ind.; two sons, Kenneth (Lisa) Wieczorkowski, Jr. of Niles and Ted (Tracy) Wieczorkowski of Niles; grandchildren, Kali M., Joshlyn and Austin Wieczorkowski; special nephews, Kenneth and Jordan; sisters, Flora Harris of Bunkie, La., Carole Lyle and Viola Peevyhouse of Big Sandy, Tenn., Patsy Mills of Mesa, Ariz., Rita Smith of South Bend, Ind. and Darlene Peterson of Pineville, La.; brothers, Irving Van Lew, Jr. of Mesa, Ariz., Robert Van Lew of Michigan City, Ind. and Lyle Van Lew of Big Sandy, Tenn. and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Randell L. Van Lew, Sr., who died on Sept. 9, 1993.
Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.