Paul Joseph Stych

PAUL JOSEPH STYCH

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Paul Joseph Stych, 90, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Lutheran Living.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Ss. Mary Mathias Catholic Church. The Reverend Chris Weber will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Luncheon will follow burial at Gannon Hall.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Father Troy will lead Rosary at 6:00 p.m. following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Saints Mary-Mathias Catholic School, 2407 Cedar Street in Muscatine, Iowa. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

Paul was born on November 10, 1933, in Nichols, Iowa, the son of George A. and Alice Marie Bekker Stych. He was united in marriage to Ellyn Marie Pingel on December 27, 1958, at the St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rock Island, Illinois. She preceded him in death on May 30, 2016.

Paul graduated from Muscatine Catholic High School in 1951 and from Muscatine Junior College in 1953. Paul was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean War from 1953 until 1955. Paul was a member of the Ss. Mary Mathias Catholic Parish and served as lector at the church. He sang in the Elk’s Chanters and was the Elk’s Exalted Ruler in 1972. He enjoyed a long-time membership golfing with friends at Geneva and was a Board Member of the MJC/MCC Alumni Associations for several years. He retired from McKee Button Company in 1995 after 38 years of service.  

Paul enjoyed golfing, boating, and mowing. He took pride in his yard and always kept it looking immaculate. Paul was a handyman but always had time to travel with his wife, Ellyn. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, especially at the annual Lake of the Ozarks family vacation that started in 1968 and endures to this day. Paul never met a stranger he didn’t get to know and made friends with anyone. He is best known for his famous response “I’m wonderful!” whenever asked how he is doing.

Paul is survived by his children, Dean Stych and wife, Diane, and their children, Alexandra Sweeney and husband, Ian, and Rachel Zaiger and husband, Baxter; Michele Weno and husband, Jim, and their children, Greg Weno and wife, Sarah, and Erin Weno; Mike Stych and wife, Angie, and their children, Craig Stych and wife, Ren, Joseph Stych and wife, Tiffany, Sam Stych and fiancé, Teagan; and Kevin Stych and wife, Sherri, and their children, Doug Stych, Katie Stych, and Steve Stych; great grandchildren, Layne, Grayson, Evan, Spencer, Naomi, Charlotte, Emmett, Vivian, Logan, Luke, Noah, Luna, Marni, and Charli; siblings, Keith Stych, Rosemary Hollatz and husband, Jim, Nancy Young and husband, Tom, and Ken Stych and wife, Kim.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Ellyn; infant daughter, Karen Stych; parents; siblings, George Stych, Rita Phelps, Jeanette Phillips, Maynard Stych, Wayne Stych, Ron Stych, and Donna Conisbee.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul Joseph Stych, please visit our floral store.