Paul J Bardsley was born in the parsonage of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Hamlet, Indiana, on November 18, 1939, to Rev. Orval and Kathleen Bardsley. He graduated from Westfield High School in 1957 and went to Indiana Barber College. Upon graduating from barber college, Paul married Marilyn Dunn at the young age of 19 years. He served in the United States Navy on active duty for two years and then the reserves. He was honorably discharged in 1964, having achieved the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class. After he completed active duty, he moved his family back to Marion with their new baby, Brenda Kay, in arms. He set up his barbering business in south Marion, and many have the picture of their first haircut in his chair. He was known for being able to calm the child (and parents!). Each child’s haircut ended in the gift of a shiny dime, which the cooperative little one could spend in the drugstore next door. Their son, Douglas Paul, entered their family in 1965 and Paul’s life was filled with involvement at College Wesleyan Church as an usher, board member, and youth leader throughout those years. Paul would spend his free time fishing, hunting, playing fast-pitch softball, and cooking. He was also known for his baritone singing voice.
Paul joined the Marion Fire Department in 1971 and retired as Assistant Chief in 1993. He was the acclaimed cook at the firehouse and would prepare the fellow firefighters a hot, home-cooked meal each day they were on duty. There were always prayers that the alarm wouldn’t go off in the middle of his chicken or fish frying! No one wanted to miss that meal!
Paul and Marilyn started spending winters in Florida after their retirement in 1994 and, in 2004, became full-time residents in Lake Wales, Florida, at Jennings Fish Camp Resort, which became their dream home. Surrounded by water, friends, and beautiful sunsets, “The Place”, as they called it, became the destination for many spring breaks of their then, college-age grandchildren, who were welcome to bring their friends and future spouses. Many family memories were made during these years of love and hospitality, including the one night they had 11 IWU students sleeping at their home overnight! There was always room for one more. They enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and had cruised over 30 times. Often their trips included a grandchild or two, always “making memories”. Besides his lifelong Christian faith, family was the most important thing to him.
Due to Paul’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, they made the decision to move back to Marion in 2020. Here, they enjoyed having family closer and were able to spend more time with their great-grandchildren. Paul passed away in the home of his daughter and son-in-law on April 17, 2023, surrounded by the loving presence of God. Those by his side included Marilyn, the love of his life of 63 years, his daughter, son, son-in-law, sister and brother-in-law, and granddaughter. All of Paul’s grandchildren were able to be with him the week of his death, share their love and care for him, and say their “goodbye for now”. Though struck with grief, the family was comforted in knowing he is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul often said in the last year of his life that he was ready to go home.
Paul was preceded in death by his birth mother, Kathleen Bardsley, who passed away when Paul was seven years old. A year later, his father, Orval, married Rev. Vivian Stanley, who raised Paul and his three siblings. They welcomed another child, Linda, to their family. He always felt like he had the benefit of two mothers in his life and loved his brother and all three sisters. Orval and Vivian preceded him in death, along with his brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Sarah Bardsley; sister and brother-in-law, Annabelle and Jim Hibschman; sister, Betty Heaton; great-grandchild, Ella Rose Woods; and pre-born great-grandchildren, Emersyn Asher Woods and Baby Yates. He was also preceded in death by special friends and fishing buddies, Gayle Simmons and George Burke. Because of his deep love for family and friends, these losses impacted him greatly.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Marilyn Bardsley; daughter, Dr. Brenda (David) Woods; son, Douglas Paul Bardsley; grandchildren, Nate (Staci) Woods, Amy (Rev. Jon) Bell, Jessica (Kyle) Yates, and Kenneth (Sarah) Woods; great-grandchildren, Carter, Addison, and Easton Bell, Mackenzie and Amelia Woods, Landon and Mason Yates, and Chloe and Baby Woods-due on Paul and Marilyn’s anniversary, September 20. Also surviving are his sister, Linda (Joseph) Kelly; sister-in-law, Joan Bardsley; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and more than a few who have called him their friend over the years. His cat, Kitty, was a source of joy and comfort as he neared the end of his life.
Paul’s family would like to thank Dr. Kyle Speakman, Dr. David Sedaghat, Dr. Mark Westfall, and the staff of Marion Health CCD, ARU, and MFP for their excellent and compassionate care. We will always be grateful.
The family will receive visitors from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
A funeral service to celebrate Paul’s life will be held at College Wesleyan Church, 200 E. 38th St., Marion, IN, on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 1:00 pm with Rev. Steve DeNeff officiating. Additional visitation will take place from 12:00 noon to 12:45 pm. Burial will follow at Grant Memorial Park.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
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