Paula Kay Zercher, 62, of Nappanee, Ind., passed away at 4 a.m., Monday, June 3, 2013, at her residence after a 6 month illness with cancer. Her cancer started in 2010 going in to remission until November 2012.

Paula was born Nov. 18, 1950, in Elkhart, Ind., to Charles D. and Sally (Uline) Stump. Paula lived her lifetime in Nappanee. She was a 1969 graduate of Nappanee High School, graduated in 1973 from Butler University and received her Masters degree from IUSB. She married Gene Zercher on May 26, 1973, at the First Brethren Church in Nappanee.

Paula served as principal of South Side Elementary School its last year before closing. Following which she then went on as guidance counselor at Nappanee Elementary School. She was a member of the Brethren in Christ Church in Nappanee.

Surviving are her husband; a daughter: Amy (Jake Klotz) Zercher, Nappanee; sons: Charlie (Trischa) Zercher, Nappanee; Ben Zercher, Nappanee; grandchildren: Jack, Ava and Will Zercher; her mother; a sister: Carla (Kevin) Butcher, Detroit, Mich.; a brother: Charles A. Stump, Syracuse, Ind.; her mother-in-law: Alice Grace Zercher, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; brothers-in-law: Dick (Catherine Chodorow) Zercher, Lafayette, Calif.; Chuck (Laura) Zercher, Durham, N.H.; Dave (Valarie) Weaver- Zercher, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and many loving, prayerful extended family members.

Visitation will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee. A Memorial service will take place at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 6, at the Brethren in Christ Church. Reverend Jeff Williams, pastor at Brethren in Christ Church, will officiate assisted by Reverend Kevin Butcher, Paula’s brother-in-law and pastor at Hope Community Church in Detroit, Mich.

According to Paula’s wishes she will be cremated and her remains will be buried in South Union Cemetery with her father and grandparents.

Memorial contributions may be given to Brethren in Christ Church or Hope Community Church.