Birth: January 24, 1921
Death: June 19, 2012
Location: Lot 159, Section 2, New Addition
Maurice Jerome Paulk, 91, also known as “Mountain Man”, of Grand Island, formerly of Wood River, died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at Grand Island Veterans Home.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Wood River, with Pastor Brad Jepsen officiating. Inurnment will be in the Wood River Cemetery. As per Mr. Paulk’s request his body was cremated.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River.
Mr. Paulk was born Jan. 24, 1921, at Wood River to Thomas E. and Jessie Mae (Carter) Paulk.
He married Opal J. Mays on June 16, 1946, at Wood River.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Opal; and his son, Brent Paulk.
Survivors of the immediate family include a daughter and son-in-law, Marcia Ann and Rob Wortman of Curtis; a son and daughter-in-law, Robb M. and Marie Paulk of Tilden; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He grew up and attended school in Wood River, graduating from Wood River High School in 1938. He then attended college for three years. Maurice entered the U.S. Army on April 17, 1942, serving with the 8th Air Force 303rd Bomb Group also known as the “Hell’s Angels” in Molsworth Air Force Base in England. He completed his final three months serving in North Africa, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant on Sept. 28, 1945.
Maurice operated and was a partner in Paulk’s Super Service for 19 years. He also worked in an auto parts department in Grand Island for 14 years.
He enjoyed his family, fishing, hunting, collecting guns, Native American History, his computer and sharing stories of his military life.
Maurice was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wood River, a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shrine, VFW and American Legion, 303rd Bomb Group Association, Nebraska Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, United Nebraska Muzzle Loaders and Order of Eastern Star. He attended the first Hall County “Hero’s Flight” to Washington, D.C. to see the WW II Memorial and many other sites in September of 2011. Where he and many others were honored by our great country.
Published in The Grand Island Independent on June 20, 2012