Paul E. Underwood

January 5, 2024

Paul E. Underwood, 92, of Frankfort, Ind., died January 5, 2024 at I.U. Health Arnett Hospital, Lafayette.  He was born September 19, 1931 in Frankfort, Ind. to Paul M. & Lela Merie (Ward) Underwood.  He married Nellie “Betty” Anson on August 17, 1951 in Frankfort, and she preceded him in death on November 23, 2020.

Paul was a 1949 graduate of Frankfort High School and a lifelong Frankfort resident.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from October 1951-October 1953, attaining the rank of Corporal.  He joined the Frankfort Police Department on December 7, 1960 and proudly served the community until December 20, 1986.  He achieved the rankings of Major, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief and proudly served as Chief from 1980-1984.  He retired from the Frankfort Police Department as a detective in 1986. He was then elected Clinton County Sheriff on November 4, 1986 and served as Sheriff from 1987-1994.  In his early law enforcement years, he also worked at the Frankfort Lumber Company.  Paul was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church, life member of the FOP, Moose Lodge and Indiana Sheriffs’ Association.  He was a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge #54, former member of Frankfort Motorcycle Club, and was Policeman of the Year in 1985. Paul enjoyed I.U. Basketball, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, riding motorcycles and police work, but his greatest love was his family.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be from 12 Noon-3 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2024 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort. Funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Bunnell Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Shop with a Cop or JCAP, envelopes will be available

Survived by:

Daughters: Ruth Weidner of Frankfort, Kathryn (Mike) Myers of Frankfort, Paula Russell of Lafayette and Merie (Bob) Sharp of Frankfort, 9 Grandchildren: Tanya Weidner, Geoff (Paula) Weidner, Dan Bushman, Adam (Leah) Myers, Jason (Jillian) Russell, Christopher Russell, Sam (Caitlin Fox) Russell, Keegan (Kori) Sharp, and Andrew (Alyssa) Sharp, 18 Great Grandchildren: Mason and Jack Weidner, Dylan, Devin and Drew Bushman, Quintin, Xavier, Kaylee and Trey Frazier, Jaden, Khalin and Maddi Russell, Dylan and Ashton Heath, Benjamin and Harrison Sharp and Kingston & Khloe Sharp

Preceded by:

his parents, wife, sons-in-law, Tom Weidner and George Russell, 3 grandsons, Corey, Craig and Jacob and granddaughter, Michele Bushman and great-grandson, Dalton, brother, Ward B. Underwood, sister, Lela Kathryn Underwood and niece, Patricia A. Underwood.

Condolences

Leave your Condolences

36 Condolences for “Paul E. Underwood”

  1. Nancy Kehrer January 6, 2024 at 4:17 pm

    Sympathies to Paul’s families.

  2. Erilda & Ron Coleman January 6, 2024 at 4:38 pm

    Dearest family,
    Lifting each of you in our thoughts and prayers as you release your Father into the arms of Jesus. Paul leaves a legacy of love and caring not only for you but for the community he served.
    God Bless – Ron & Erilda Coleman – Foley, AL

  3. Gary Spray January 6, 2024 at 6:31 pm

    Merie,
    Prayers of peace and comfort for you and your family.

  4. Marcia Wien January 6, 2024 at 6:43 pm

    Paula, sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

  5. Mally Myers January 6, 2024 at 7:33 pm

    Paula,
    Lifting you and your family up in prayer for guidance and comfort during this time of sorrow.
    God Bless
    Mally

  6. Lisa Myers January 6, 2024 at 7:48 pm

    “Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sorrowful time.” “You have our deepest condolences for the loss of such a wonderful man, dad, grandpa, and public servant. I loved Paul’s straight talk and no bull attitude. He always treated Matt and I well.

    Love from Matthew & Lisa Myers

  7. Chris Greeno January 6, 2024 at 8:02 pm

    Ruth, So sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of your Dad. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you all.

  8. Steve & Beth Keeney January 6, 2024 at 9:23 pm

    So sorry about Paul. Although, now he is with Betty and other family who have gone before him. All of you daughters did so much to care and spend time with your parents over the years. Now their legacy lives on through all of you.

  9. Jeanie and Gary Thompson January 6, 2024 at 9:40 pm

    So sorry to read this Merie and Ruthie. We will keep all of the family in our thoughts and prayers. We always thought so much of your Dad. LOVE to all of you girls and your families.

  10. Chris & Paula Fausett January 7, 2024 at 7:59 am

    Remembering the memories we all share, and lifting each of you up in prayer!
    The Lord bless and keep you!

    Chris & Paula

  11. Timothy A Porter January 7, 2024 at 8:56 am

    RIP Paul.

  12. Brian Heimbach January 7, 2024 at 1:42 pm

    Always respected the way Paul handled the offices he held with patience and dignity. Guessing the patience came from living with 5 women! It’s hard for me to watch people that I looked up to pass away as I get older. Peace to all of you girls and your families. You’ll be in our prayers. Brian &
    Kelli.

  13. Marsha Ashwell January 7, 2024 at 2:26 pm

    I am so sad to hear this. Working for Paul are some of my favorite memories.

  14. Donna Toney January 7, 2024 at 6:48 pm

    Sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. He was a great boss and a wonderful friend. He will be missed by me and my family! Rest in peace, Paul

  15. Brenda Killmer Ricker January 7, 2024 at 10:52 pm

    Dear Ruth, Kathryn, Paula and Merie—I am so sorry to hear this. Your dad will be missed. Sending up prayers for all of you.

  16. Gloria Hite January 7, 2024 at 11:19 pm

    So sorry for your loss your Dad was a very sweet man, hadn’t seen him for along while but always enjoyed talking to him when I did. Sending hugs and prayers.

  17. Bill & Cheryl Amsler January 8, 2024 at 10:08 am

    Thoughts and prayers to the family. Paul and Betty both made all of us at the Sheriff’s Office feel like extended family.

    • Paula Russell January 14, 2024 at 5:09 pm

      Thank you for your kind words. My parents thought of all of you as family and wanted that kind of environment at the jail for the workers because you were a team.

  18. Jim Mc Quern January 8, 2024 at 11:00 am

    My wife (Donna Mc Quern) worked at the old jail as a cook. I believe that she really enjoyed working with Paul and Betty.

    • Paula Russell January 14, 2024 at 5:07 pm

      Those were special times for my parents. My mom especially loved helping in the kitchen and my parents wanted all to feel welcomed and to feel like family.

  19. David Scott & Family January 9, 2024 at 5:28 pm

    My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Paul’s family. Paul was an outstanding person and a great leader, as a police officer, chief of police and sheriff. His dedication to serve never ended even after his retirement. It didn’t matter where you were at Backstreet Cafe having a cup of
    coffee or at Walmart, Paul would take the time to stop, pat you on the back, smile and say hello.
    He will truly be missed

    • Paula Russell January 14, 2024 at 5:05 pm

      Thank you for your kind words about our dad. We are going to miss him terribly.

  20. Lisa McCann January 9, 2024 at 6:03 pm

    So sorry Paula. He was a special man. He loved his family so much
    Prayers for your family.

    • Paula Russell January 14, 2024 at 5:04 pm

      Thank you Lisa! He was a great dad. He loved watching our boys play baseball, too.

  21. Dee Cress January 10, 2024 at 2:37 pm

    Ruth, Merie, and Family,
    I would like to extend our deepest condolences to you and your entire family. I will always have special memories of Paul growing up, along with the memories along with all of you moving into adulthood. He was a very loved man of many in the community, and left an impact on all that he knew. I am so sorry for your loss, and know that although I can not attend his funeral (due to living out of state) My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  22. Jerry Bradley January 10, 2024 at 7:52 pm

    Kathryn & Mike, We are so sorry for your loss. May your memories help. Jerry & Anita

  23. Rick L. Morgan January 11, 2024 at 4:29 pm

    Thoughts and prayers to the family, during this time of loss. Paul was a great man and I will always have fond memories of working for him while he was Sheriff, and everything that he did for the community! Rick L. Morgan

    • Paula Russell January 14, 2024 at 5:04 pm

      Thank you for your kind words during this time of loss.

  24. Robert Pearson January 11, 2024 at 8:57 pm

    Sending sincere condolences to your family at the passing of your dad, grandpa and friend! We will miss Paul and never forget what he and Betty did for us. Truly a great man who was a champion for all Clinton County families!
    Bob & Sallie Pearson and family

  25. Jeff Miller January 12, 2024 at 12:33 pm

    Ruth, Kathryn, Paula, Merie and extended family:
    Having been connected to your family in many different ways over 60 plus years. I know that nothing meant more to your Father than his family. I’ll miss honking and waving and occasionally stopping to chat for a while as he sat on
    the porch and watched life go by. Sorry for loss.
    Jeff and Sheila Miller

    • Paula Russell January 14, 2024 at 5:01 pm

      Thank you for your kind words. We are going to miss him tremendously. Our lives will not be the same.

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