Dear Ellen and family, it's been a long time since we've been in touch, but you and Paul have left indelible imprints on our lives. So full of fun and adventure based on your faith and your family, and you were the first to make the trip to visit us in Vermont! So shocked and saddened to hear this news. Praying God gives you strength and grace. Love, Colleen (O'Gieblyn) Wolford

Ellen and family, our hearts break. Kym, Sarah, Samantha, and I are out of state right now. Times like this remind us truly that we were not made for such pain. We grieve with you and your family, and trust and know that Paul has returned home to His saviour. Our prayers are with you and the family - Bart, Kymberly, Sarah, and Samantha

Dear Ellen and family, We are all so sad and shocked to hear about Paul. We just couldn't believe it! Know that we have been praying for you all, and that God will give you so much comfort and peace through this season. We "lean not to our own understanding," and we ultimately have to say, "I trust you, Father". May you feel His presence, love, peace and comfort. What I know of Paul, he totally lived his life to the fullest and gave God glory in all he did. What a man of God! He has left a great inheritance for you and your family,(and friends)! May the joy of the Lord be your strength!! With all our love and prayers, The Fifelski Family

Dear Ellen and family,
We are all so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our prayers. We will miss Paul's gentle ways and beautiful smile. Hugs to all of you.

Ellen, Bree, Seth and Sam,

Don and I are shocked and saddened by your loss of Paul. We remember him with love.

Dear Ellen, as long as I live, I will always see Paul by your side. I can't imagine him not there. You cherished your love for one another and let it show for all the world to see. As a couple, you two were always so happy together & content; as parents & friends - kind, compassionate, loving, joyous and generous to all you came across, an inspiration to everyone. He will always live in your heart; your children and grandchildren will always remind you of him, he is with you still. My dear friend, Paul's wife - you, and your family, are in my prayers for comfort & strength in this incredibly sad, grievous time. The expression, "only the good die young", certainly applies to Paul. One of the finest men I know, that we all know.  You will treasure him for the rest of your life, and have a happy reunion in Heaven, in just a moment. May the Lord bless you and keep you. I love you, Lynn

Dear Ellen and family ~ Sending our prayers that our Heavenly Father will ease the pain of your great loss. We are so very sorry to hear of Paul's passing. Paul was the Best Dancer Ever! Just amazing! Psalm 91 is such a beautiful passage -- our hearts go out to you. May our Heavenly Father comfort you and give you peace in the days ahead. Love to you, The Ohly Family.

Ellen~ Kit and I cannot express the sorrow we feel at the loss of Paul. We were fortunate to have had him in our lives from our Gesu days through the present. Just last week Kit and Paul were at their second home (Lowes) searching for some "thingamajig" and catching up on work and family. We are truly disheartened by Paul's passing. May the remarkable love that you had for each other somehow help to comfort you in the days to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Kit and Bridget

SO sad to know Paul is gone! He was a great example of a quiet, strong man with a big heart. I know he will be missed mightily by his family, and his place will never be filled. But he will remain in the hearts of those who love him, and even in the hearts of those who, like me, knew him long ago for a short while, but felt the impact of his goodness on our lives. Ellen, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I am incredibly saddened by the loss of Paul Koehler. The world has truly lost one of the “good guys.” Paul generously shared his time and resources. He and Ellen led the 4H Challenge Club when my sons, Seth and Ian, were teens. The group emphasized outdoor activities, including camping, backpacking, canoeing, rock-climbing, caving, and hiking. I always felt that my sons were in excellent hands, even during participation in “dangerous” activities – Paul always stressed that safety came first. The group not only engaged in outdoor trips; Ellen and Paul strove to have the club function as a cohesive whole. Paul and Ellen led many team-building exercises that were fun and brought the kids together. They opened their home for the meetings and usually drove two cars to the outdoor destinations, putting countless miles on their vehicles. Paul also shouldered more than his fair share of the weight when backpacking. If one of the kids struggled with a backpack, Paul would carry some of his or her load (also an apt metaphor for Paul’s personality in general). 
Paul was a wonderful father and doting grandfather. He also nurtured many more children and young people by contributing his time, experience, and energy to the fortunate kids, like mine, who were welcomed to share his skills, talents, and love for the wilderness. I feel extremely honored to have known Paul. The world has a gaping hole from where his presence radiated.

Dear Ellen and family, I'm so sorry to hear of Paul's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Paul

I am so sorry to hear about this. I know there will be a big hole in the homeschooling community in Michigan. The Koehler family were a blessing to all. May God comfort you with His Spirit and the knowledge that Paul is with Him. You will see him again some day.

Ellen and Family-
Although I haven't seen you for years, I remember your family from our time together at ROMC. I was always impressed that you always seemed to have so much fun together. My heart is heavy with your loss
but remember, you can't lose something if you know where it is. Your knowledge that you will be with Paul again and for all eternity will hopefully get you all thru this difficult time. Please accept my sympathy and know that many are praying for comfort for you.

Ellen, I will always remember Paul as such a nice, kindhearted guy and from all the tributes here it's obvious he never changed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Dear Ellen and Noah,
I was so saddened to get word this evening from a fellow APUSH online student about your husband / father's passing on so suddenly and unexpectedly. I'm so sorry for this great loss, and reading the very very touching story of Paul's wonderful life, I gained such a feel for who he was as a person-- a *remarkable* and very *loving* and dedicated family man. May God strengthen you in this time of sorrow, may all your many friends and your large extended family be a sure support to you. May Paul's memory always be for a blessing, and bring out the best in each of you as you each move, gradually, forward into your lives knowing that Paul's life will always be a part of who each of you are. My thoughts are with everyone in the family.

With sympathy,
Susan Richman

Ellen, to you and your family I send my thoughts and love. Even though our lives have taken us in different directions, you and Paul were very much a part of who I am and my life. The friendships forged years ago have a history and strength that surpasses time. do you remember canoeing and camping one particular time when we all got lost in the dark. Riding in the black Falcon after skiing at Pine Knob. I will always look back fondly when I think of you and Paul. I'm sure your faith will help you get through the terrible sorrow of Paul's passing.

I just can’t believe it . The world has lost someone who was truly making a difference with everyone he met . His family has lost a father that truly believed in putting everything he had into raising his children and what an amazing family they have . His friends have lost a man that you could trust with anything , who believed in the goodness in each and every one of us , and taught us by example how to be humble and present , confident and not boastful , compassionate with purpose and a plan and with love and respect for everyone despite our shortcomings. Paul was one of the greatest men I had ever known and a man that you truly felt blessed to call a friend .
Terry Umlor, friend and fellow 4-H leader

I am very sorry to hear about Paul's passing. We were Gesu buddies back in the day, spending a lot of time together playing sports, goofing off and just being boys. I enjoyed seeing what Paul had been doing the past few years, via FB. My condolences to the Koehler family during this difficult time.

Ellen, dear friend it was a great blessing to me when I met you and your precious family. The love and passion for God and family that you and Paul shared is a great inspiration to many. I pray that God will comfort you and your family. Love, Betty

Dear Ellen and Family, I'm so, so sorry. May you feel the love and support of your entire community who grieve alongside you, and most of all the comfort that only Jesus can bring.

I'll always remember the great job Paul did for us on Margareta street in Detroit. He did some cabinet/counter top work and I think helped install a dishwasher. Never had a problem. Great work Paul........now look at all that fun you will have up there with the best flawless equipment!! To Paul's family remember him well and never forget his love for you all.

Dear Ellen and family! We are so shocked and grief-stricken by Paul's death. When we heard the sad news, we were stunned, but also immediately recalled Paul's love and passion for life and all that God had given him. Katja fondly remembered him pulling her pigtails (she'll wear them in honor of him at the funeral), Luke and Benjamin recalled the swords that Paul made for them and the endless sword fights that followed. We recalled the adventure of paddling in the dark to Kensington for the DSO concert, the bon fires, and so many more moments where Paul touched our lives. He will not forgotten in the Olari household. May God hold you and your family in the palm of HIs hand in this difficult time. We love you.

I am so saddened and sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you in my heart and prayers and hoping you will always have a wonderful memory in your hearts and minds to bring smiles in times to come.

We all know what a super person Paul was. My sadness is for the family he left behind who will miss all the love he gave you all. May happy family memories sustain you always.
My favorite picture posted this past year was Ellen and Paul hiking down a path with Noah and Ben on their backs and the two boys reaching out, smiling and touching each other. A small example of the adventures and love in your family. I rejoice knowing you have a deep faith.

Dear Ellen, Ben, Noah, Bree, and Seth, I am so saddened to know of your great loss.  I've always admired the wonderful things I heard about your Father through Ellen. I especially appreciated Paul's love of family and his love of nature. So many of his activities involved both. I loved hearing about your camping, hiking, canoeing and many other outdoor adventures. 
I will always remember and appreciate Paul's kindness and patience when I visited your home with my dog and she growled and barked at everyone all through our dinner.
You are all close to my heart during this difficult time. I am certain that when you are in the beauty of nature you will always feel him close to you.

Dear Ellen, I am heartbroken for you and your family. I have not seen you in many years but remember all the times we had as young kids growing up. It is something that forms the foundation of who you are and you and Paul were an important part of my life. I remember when you started dating and how perfect you were together. I remember your wedding and the joy of that moment. I was on that famous canoe trip Paul Hassett mentioned...what memories of fun times. I remember the last time I saw you and Paul at the Gesu reunion and how complete you were, your marriage, your children, your happiness. What a blessed and beautiful life you shared. Paul was a special person with a kindness in his heart from a very early age. He was strong and gentle and I know he was loved deeply by many. He left a legacy by his love. Your strength in your faith and the love of your family will support you in your pain and loss. My love, Marie

Ellen, I was shocked and stunned when I heard the news. He was one of my favorite people and I knew the first day worked with him in the 70's that he was someone special. May God's presence be with you during time.

Ellen, I just heard the sad news about Paul's passing. Please receive my deepest sympathy for you and your children, please tell Ben and Noah I will keep them and you in my thoughts.

Ellen, so sorry for your loss. Praying for you, your family and all who were touched by Paul's spirit. May God keep you in his light and love at this very difficult time.

Dear Ellen and family, though it has been many years since we've seen each other, it feels like it was just yesterday that our families spent so much time together at Covenant Alliance Church and at each other's homes when our children were young (and so were we!). We can't begin to express our sadness at Paul's passing, but we look forward to seeing him in Glory! Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, John and Cindy Winter

Dear Ellen, Ben, Noah, Bree, and Seth, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. What a kind and generous man, and how much he will be missed. May God comfort your hearts and bless you tremendously. With love from your sister in Christ,
Susan Phillips

Dear Ellen; Although we haven't seen each other in years -- I think my boys were in grade school and they're now 18 and 22 -- my heart is very heavy with the news of Paul's passing. Deepest condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thinking of you with warm memories...

Dear Ellen and Family,
We were saddened to hear about Paul's passing, but know that the strength and love that you all share will get you through this difficult time and that your faith will sustain you.
Pat and Mike Christie

My heart is heavy and I am so saddened to learn of Paul's passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Koehler family during this very difficult time. I just saw him Friday and he had his regular smile when he greeted me. He will be missed so much. He was a regular at the Y and always had such a great spirit. May God surround his family with his love and strength and help them through this time of sorrow.