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Lincoln- Wilbur Carl Paulus, 78, of Lincoln, died Saturday, September 14, 2013, at his home. He was born on September 24, 1934, in Lincoln to Carl and Mabel (Gehlbach) Paulus. They preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Alice (Dierker) Paulus, whom he married on December 15, 1956; daughter Becky (Leland) Semple of Hartsburg; son Randall (Terri) Paulus of Lincoln; son Kent (Lynn) Paulus of Lincoln; and daughter Lori (Rod) Christensen of Grayslake, IL; 11 grandchildren, Kara Costello, Scott Semple, Erin Semple, Bret (Sami) Paulus, Kendall Paulus, Dustin Paulus, Ashley Paulus, Michelle Paulus, Emily Paulus, Katherine Christensen and Thomas Christensen; and 2 great-grandsons, Connor and Cale Costello. He is also survived by his sister, Lois (Wayne) Conrady of Lincoln, and nieces and nephews.

Wilbur graduated from Lincoln Community High School in 1952 and from Iowa State University in 1958 with a Bachelor's Degree in Farm Operation following a two year tour in the United States Army. He was a lifelong livestock and grain farmer in Logan County at the farm recognized by the State of Illinois as a Centennial Farm.

Wilbur was a lifelong member of St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln. He was a former board member and officer of West Lincoln Elementary School Board and Lincoln Community High School Board of Education, and he has served on the Lincoln College Board of Trustees since 1994. Wilbur has been a member of the Logan County Zoning Board of Appeals for over 40 years, serving as the only Secretary of the Board. He also served on the Board of Directors of The First National Bank of Lincoln.

Wilbur was involved in several ag related organizations at the State and National level including Illinois Pork Producers, serving as President; the National Livestock and Meat Board as the Pork Industry Group representative; and Illinois FBFM Association as a Director.

Wilbur was recognized as Outstanding Young Farmer in 1968, Prairie Farmer Master Farmer 1977. Wilbur and his family were honored as Illinois Pork Producer Association Farm Family of the Year in 2000. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Chicago Cubs.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln with Rev. Jan Johnson officiating. A visitation will be held from 4-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 17 at St. John United Church of Christ and an hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Burial will follow at New Union Cemetery in Lincoln. Memorials may be made to Lincoln College Heritage Museum or to St. John UCC. Services were entrusted to Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.