Walter J. Paul Sr

Aug 11, 1953 - Oct 8, 1985

BUCHANAN — Walter J. Paul Sr., 92, of 55091 Holmes Road, South Bend, was killed about 6 p.m. Tuesday when his car collided with a semi-truck hauling a double load of gravel. Mr. Paul was dead at the scene of the accident on U.S. 12 near Dayton Road.

According to Berrien County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Casto, the truck, driven by Dale L. Schlutt, 26, of 6859 Hollywood Road, Berrien Springs, was traveling west on U.S. Reports said Mr. Paul was driving east when he tried to pass a truck. Paul apparently saw the approaching gravel truck, abruptly returned to his own lane but then lost control of his car.

Witnesses told Casto the car then drove into the path of the rig. Although it was raining at the time, wet road conditions were not listed as a cause of the accident. According to reports, Schlutt said he swerved but was unable to keep from hitting Mr. Paul's car. The truck, owned by Yerrington Construction Co. of Benton Harbor, rolled onto its side and landed in the ditch on the south side of U.S. 12. Gravel spilled onto the highway, causing the road to be blocked for nearly three hours. The sand, gravel and rocks were removed by a front-end loader. The Bertrand Twp. Fire Department was called to the scene to wash down the road where diesel fuel had spilled from a ruptured tank on the truck. The department's "Jaws of Life" was used to remove Mr. Paul from his car. No tickets were issued. 

Mr. Paul was born Aug. 11, 1953, in South Bend. On Jan. 20, 1973, in Dowagiac, he married Sharon J. Mead of Buchanan, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Walter J. Jr. and Jonathan J., both of Buchanan; five sisters, Yvonne Freel of South Bend, Sherry Duty. of Flint, Mich., Susan Clark of Walkerton, Dorothy Hoffman of Osceola and Mary Trzaskowski of Flatoma, Texas; three brothers, Bob Jr. of New Carlisle, Allan Sr. and Edward, both of South Bend; and his parents, Bob and Nina Paul of South Bend

12/04/2024 EJS