Paul George Dietz, 96, of Russell, Kansas passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the Great Bend Regional Hospital in Great Bend, Kansas.

Paul was born November 3, 1918 on the family farm in Russell County just north of Bender Hill.  He was the son of Ferdinand and Pauline (Karst) Dietz.  He grew up in the Bender Hill area and graduated in the Class of 1938 from Russell High School.

Paul served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII.  He served from 1942 to 1946 as a Tech. Sgt in the Pacific Theater.  After his tour he returned to the Bender Hill area.

Paul was united in marriage to Hilda Bender on June 22, 1947 in the Trinity Bender Hill Lutheran Church.  This union was blessed with four children; Ronnie, Danny, Barb and Randy.  They made their home in Russell for a year before moving back to the family farm.  Paul and Hilda returned to Russell in 2001.

Paul had worked in the grocery business during high school.  This led to him starting the Dietz Meat Processing Company in Russell.  He was the owner and operator from 1953 till his retirement in 1998.  During this time he also continued farming on the family farm.

Paul was a member of the Bender Hill Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was very active, until 1981 when he joined St. John Lutheran Church.  He was a life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240, Russell American Legion Post #99, Russell Elks Lodge, and was on the Board for Kansas Meat Associations.  He was instrumental in the creation of the Bender Hill Baseball team and horseshoe pits in Bender Hill and Russell.  He loved dancing, playing cards, fishing, watching sports especially the K.C. Royals and the K.U. Jayhawks.  He was a caring man who always had a smile, knew no stranger and was willing to help anyone and anytime.

Surviving family include his wife of 67 years, Hilda of the home; daughter, Barb Dietz of Wichita, Kansas; two grandchildren, Shaye Harris (Matt) of Midland, Texas and Brett Dietz of Topeka, Kansas; and two great grandchildren, Kaden Harris and Kamry Harris.  He was preceded in death by his parents; three sons, Ronnie, Danny and Randy; two brothers, Emil Dietz and Ernest Dietz; and sister, Tabea Maier.

Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, April 24, 2015 at St. John Lutheran Church.  A private family burial will take place later.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Thursday, April 23, 2015 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  Military Rites will be conducted at the Church during the service.  Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who is in charge of these arrangements.