Paul Joseph Atha, 87, of St Joseph, passed away Friday, March 24, 2023, at his home. He was born April 3, 1935, in St. Joseph, son of Margaret and Alan Atha.
He graduated from Christian Brothers High School, class of 1953. He married Marie "Jeanette" White on June 29, 1979, in Miami, OK.
He served in the US Navy Reserves. Paul worked at Joe Wood Motors, A & B Motors, Atha's Auto Service, and St. Joe Light & Power as a Mechanic. He enjoyed fishing, steam engines, going to farm auctions, and collecting and repairing clocks.
Paul never met a stranger. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Tommy Jo Atha, daughter, Joan Elaine Campbell, 1 great grandson, and 2 twin great granddaughters, the mother of his children, Doris Dienstbier, step-son, Mike Brown, brother, Bob Atha, sisters, Juanita Gach, Mary Virginia Shearer, "Peggy" Margaret Ann Horrigan, and Sister Clairerita Atha.
Survivors include: wife, Marie "Jeanette" Atha of the home, daughters, Carol Ann (Gary Mayse) Atha Roach of Hemple, MO and Nancy (Tim) Fisher of Union Star, MO, step-son, Bret Brown, step-daughter, Stacy (Denis) Picou of Beaumont, TX, 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, all that he loved.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 10:00 am at the Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Father Stephen Hansen, officiating. The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm, Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Memorials are requested to the Saint Patrick Catholic Church.