Henry "Paul" Eschenfelder

Henry Paul Eschenfelder passed away at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Paul was born on September 19, 1937 to Henry Pleines Eschenfelder and Anne A. (Stenson) Eschenfelder. Paul was 88 years old and was looking forward to his 89th birthday next month. Paul grew up with his sister, Dianne, who was four years older, in Flushing, Queens, New York. Both he and dad were Henry P. but dad's middle name was Pleines, which was his mom's maiden name. Paul liked to be called "Paulie”. Paul graduated from Farmingdale High School in New York, where he excelled in sports and was a very intelligent young man and did well in his classes. He wasn't big but was a natural athlete and known for his speed, agility and was considered a "hard hitter" and "gutsy" and who didn't back down from anyone. In football he was a running back, quarterback and defensive back and always said he enjoyed being hit, but loved being able to give them more than he got. He was an excellent runner in track and enjoyed running in many road races until age caught up with him. He liked to wrestle and was an outstanding boxer too. When he went to college on a partial scholarship in Northern Illinois to play football, his reputation followed him and his teammates were impressed with his tenacity. Paul was the Captain of the football team. He paid his own way in college for what the scholarship didn't cover. He graduated with a business degree and became a teacher at Levittown Memorial High School in New York and then a sales representative for International Harvester for many years, traveling in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. He even found time to study to became a lawyer but never completed that passion. 

He moved to Rising Sun years ago where he lived at the Hoosier Boy Senior Citizens Building. 

Paul married Marianne B. Quinn and they had two sons, Eric and Eugene "Geno". She passed away on July 1, 2014 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 

Paul was an outstanding American Patriot who loved and served our great nation with honor and respect. He joined the United States Air Force and served six years from 6-5-1964 to 6-5-1970. He then went on to serve 27 years in the United States Army from 7-8-1970 to 9-5-1997 and retired as an E-7 or Sergeant First Class. Thirty-three years of faithful and dedicated service to the USA Military is quite remarkable. He said he got to see the world and was very PROUD to serve. 

Paul was an accomplished speed ice skater, and his claim to fame was appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show when he was just 13 years old. He was the Silver Skates Junior Champion in a big race in New York at Madison Square Gardens and got to show off his skating skills for Ed and a national audience. 

He met Eileen Wiesmann when he came to Rising Sun and they became "best friends" and for 13 years they loved to get out and dance and he would film Eileen when she sang karaoke. They were well known in our area for their dancing skills. Their favorites were the Cha Cha and the East Coast Swing. He would often tell people that Eileen was the "love of his life" and they really enjoyed dancing. They even won several dance contests on the many cruises they took. 

He had a special bond with Eileen's grandson, Kai, who is an outstanding athlete in middle school in Indianapolis. Paul was Catholic but also enjoyed attending Eileen's church with her. Paul also loved to play golf and even gave golf lessons to many people. He loved to go to Myrtle Beach with Eileen and even considered moving there. 

Paul is survived by his two sons, Eric and Geno, a sister, Dianne, and two grandchildren along with his companion, Eileen Wiesmann. 

Funeral service will be at the Markland Funeral Home in Rising Sun on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM. 

Military rites will be conducted by the Southeastern Indiana Honor Guard. Burial will be at the Indiana Veterans Cemetery in Madison, Indiana at a later date. 

Donations can be made to Welcome Home Warriors. 

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