In Loving Memory of Paul Wenzel Barbahen
With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we bid farewell to Paul, a beloved husband, dad, grandpa/Opa, friend, and cherished member of our community, who departed too soon from this world on Wednesday, February 28th, 2024.
Paul is survived by Carol, his loving and devoted wife, who shared a lifetime of cherished memories and unwavering love. Paul leaves behind Jennifer (Don Wasilevich), Emily (Brian) Gluecklich, and Margaret (Lee) Kim, his adoring daughters, who were blessed to call him dad and who will forever cherish his guidance, wisdom, and affection. Paul will live on through Donovan, Selene, Ronan, Logan, Sloane, Lucy, Jackson, Molly and Baby Kim, his beloved grandkids, who brought him immeasurable joy and whose laughter filled his heart with happiness.
Paul was preceded in death by Carolyn and Norbert and Bernice and Fred, who welcomed him with open arms into the eternal embrace of peace.
A celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, at The Village UCC Church.
1150 Meadowcrest Rd.
La Grange Park, IL 60526
Church Doors Open at 10:30am – Service at 11am
Visitation with family after service with light refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association in memory of Paul.
Paul was a man of extraordinary intellect, whose sharp mind, wit, and voracious thirst for knowledge illuminated every room he entered. He approached every aspect of life with an insatiable curiosity to learn and was able to provide us with his wisdom and logic. Whether engaged in deep discussions or sharing insights, his mind shone brightly, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Beyond his remarkable intellect, Paul was a beacon of humor, wit, and fun. His infectious dry sense of humor could light up even the darkest of days, bringing a smile to those around him. His witty remarks and playful banter created countless moments of happiness and camaraderie, leaving lasting memories that will forever be cherished. Whether it was his classic one-liners, his impeccable timing, or his uncanny ability to recall every line from The Simpsons or Family Guy and find relevance, one thing was for certain, life was never dull when he was around. In the immortal words of Monty Python, “Always look on the bright side of life.”
Above all else, Paul was a man of boundless love. His heart overflowed with compassion, touching the lives of all who crossed his path. He had an innate ability to make everyone feel valued, offering unwavering support and unconditional love to his family and friends. Paul leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and intelligence that will continue to inspire and uplift us. Though he may no longer be with us in person, his spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known him.
As we mourn the loss of Paul, let us also celebrate the beautiful life he lived and the profound impact he had on all who knew him. May his memory be a source of comfort and strength during this difficult time.
Rest in peace, Paul. You will be deeply missed, but your love and light will continue to shine brightly in our hearts forever.
With love and fond memories,
Carol, Jenny, Emily and Maggie
I’m sorry for your loss, will be in attendance with all of you.
Sending our deepest condolences and lots of love to your family.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and inspiring remembrance of a truly amazing person. I am grateful to have learned more about the husband, father and grandfather who has been at the center of your family, and your lives. I am sending you all my love and comfort, especially to Jenny and her family whom I know so well. I am keeping your family and Paul close to my heart as you navigate this time and I hope you feel Paul’s love close to you as you grieve him and gather memories of your life together.
Paul was a wonderful smart, well prepared attorney. He was also a joy to be around and did indeed brighten up any room. Our loss is heavens gain! I am so sorry for the family. You are in our prayers. Judge Maureen O’Donoghue Hannon
I’ve worked at Ed’s way for almost two years. So many people made such an impact on me, but nothing like him. I noticed when I didn’t see him in the store anymore and wondered where he was. Come to find my sister karoline shows me a post on Facebook showing he passed away. Immediately my heart sunk into my stomach. I cherished every conversation I had with Paul. I learned so much from him, especially about law. When you see a regular everyday you begin to expect to see them. And when they don’t show up, it’s like a part of your day to day routine is missing. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. All my love.