Published: May 08, 2008 10:18 am         

Paul Elijah

March 16, 1915-May 6, 2008

Paul Elijah, 93, 1225 Greencroft Drive, Goshen, died at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen, following a short illness.

He was born March 16, 1915, in Noble County, to William D. and Addie (Portner) Elijah.

He was a graduate of Wawaka High School. He moved to Goshen when he married his wife, Anna Lee Pippenger, on June 15, 1941, in Albion. She died Aug. 9, 2001.

He worked at Sash & Door for 18 years before moving on to Bowers Manufacturing. He worked in the local bowling community since 1950, first setting pins at Shamrock Lanes “to make ends meet” financially in the late 1940s and early ‘50s. He worked in that capacity for about 10 years.

At the same time, Elijah picked up a ball and started rolling it. “I started bowling in the late ‘40s when I was around 30 years old,” Elijah said.

“I bowled in two leagues a week at first and later increased that to three. I bowled in three for 15 to 20 years.”

From the Shamrock Lanes on Madison Street, Elijah moved on to the Playdium Lanes on North Main Street where he was the manager for two years. When Maple City Bowl opened in 1962, Elijah again found himself changing work addresses.

In an earlier interview with The Goshen News, Paul said, “I bought stock in Maple City when it first opened and served as vice president. I took care of the lanes and ran the desk during the day. I was kind of the manager. Then when Al Troyer, who was the mechanic, became ill and sold his stock, I became the mechanic.” Elijah was also president for two years.

Elijah added that during his prime bowling years he carried a 195 average. He feels that could have been at least 200 with the present conditions. However, he maintained a 175 average bowling in two leagues a week when he was 72-years-old.

Another big change came to the balls themselves. Originally made of rubber or plastic, the balls are made of urethane today.

“I enjoy coming to work every day,” he said. “I get a big kick out of watching the people bowl. I think I get more out of watching the women bowl because not one of the whole bunch throws the same type of ball. I just get real enjoyment sitting here watching the people bowl.”

Paul was among the first inductees into the Goshen Bowling Hall of Fame in 1998.

Paul was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather and a dedicated family man, nurturing his family through all the years. Paul’s family members were always the first priority in his life.

He is survived by two daughters, Judy (Thomas) Strycker and Pam Elijah, both of Goshen; six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Pauline (Philmore) Price, Florida; and two brothers, Robert (Florence) Elijah, Novato, Calif., and Richard Elijah, Kendallville.

He was preceded in death by a son, William Paul Elijah on May 8, 1979; a daughter-in-law, Fern (Hershberger) Elijah on Sept. 16, 2004; and two brothers, Clyde Elijah and William Elijah Jr.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today and 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at the Meetinghouse at Greencroft, Goshen.

The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at The Meetinghouse, with Margaret Sawatsky and Dee Swartz, Greencroft Chaplaincy, officiating.

Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.

Memorial contributions may be made to Greencroft Foundation.

Condolences may be sent online to yoderculpfuneralhome.com