Paul Edwin Zerbe went to be with his Lord and Savior while living at the home of his daughter in Nampa, Idaho on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at the age of 95.

Paul is predeceased by his wife, Marilyn June McTeer Zerbe, his son, William Dean Zerbe, his great-granddaughter, Shannon Zerbe and his parents, William Louis Dean Zerbe and Ethel Nell Hall Zerbe and siblings, Bill Zerbe and Betty Zerbe Winoker.

Paul is survived and lovingly remembered by his three daughters, Paula Zerbe Carter and husband John; Jeanie Zerbe Jones and husband Bill; and Debbie Zerbe. In addition to his daughters are many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Stacey Zerbe Moore and husband Blake and children Blake and Grace; Brandon Zerbe and wife Margaret and children Jordan, Kylee and Vivienne; Lisa Daniel and children Taylor and P.J.; Jason Rhodus and wife Aubrey and children Bryson, Raelee and Ryder; Joe Decker and wife Brittany and children Jacob, Jerrin, Ella and Landon; Jake Decker and wife Stephanie and children Jaxson, Morrison and Rivers; Jill Decker Vucina and husband J.C. and daughter Amelie; Aaron Yochim and Paul Yochim. Paul is also survived by two siblings, Rancey Zerbe and Barbara Zerbe Gray.

Paul was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on February 24, 1927. He attended High School in Springfield, Missouri and then joined the United States Navy where he proudly defended our country in World War II while on a destroyer escort ship, the U.S.S Swearer, in the Pacific Ocean at Okinawa.

Following World War II, Paul returned to Springfield, Missouri where he married Marilyn McTeer and started his family that consisted of four children. He worked in law enforcement in both Springfield and San Diego, California when he moved his family to the west coast in 1960. In the early 1970’s, Paul moved his family to Kansas City, Missouri and he went to work in the security department for the Federal Reserve Bank where he ultimately retired.

Along with his career in law enforcement and the Federal Reserve, Paul always worked, on the side, in floor covering. It was shortly after the war when Paul was trained in carpet and floor covering and it was something that he always enjoyed doing and certainly contributed to his physical fitness, good health and most likely his longevity of life. Paul also had a great love for restoring old automobiles – particularly old Cadillacs, and for many years had a multi-car garage where he could often be found tinkering away on his cars. For many years he was an avid coin collector and spent many hours organizing and classifying his collection.

Paul was an excellent artist and could sketch with incredible likeness – a skill that could have yielded a profession itself. He enjoyed hunting and was a proficient marksman. And for many years he maintained large gardens, priding himself on his bumper crops of tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers. He was also a good cook – especially famous in the family for his chili. But most of all? Paul loved and always chose his family. He enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and succeed, so it was fitting that Paul left this world surrounded by his loved ones.

A visitation for Paul Zerbe will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022 from noon to 2:00 p.m. followed by a service at 2:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, 3506 N. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri, 65803. A brief service will be held graveside at Robberson Prairie Cemetery, Willard, Missouri.