Feb.
25, 1960 - Oct. 1, 2009SOUTH BEND - Paul Eugene Andersen, 49, passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2009, in Iraq, from indirect fire while serving his country in the United States Army. Paul was born on February 25, 1960, in Elkhart, IN, to the late Robert and Virginia (Tribbey) Andersen. On August 28, 2004, he married Linda (Kovacsics) Andersen in Niles, MI, who survives along with his three daughters, Beth (Daniel) Andersen-Steven of Cleveland, TX, Ariel Wood of Michigan and April Wood of Michigan; three stepchildren, Robert Klempay of Edwardsburg, MI, JoAnne (Gregory) Jester of South Bend and Thomas (Emma) Klempay of South Bend; eight grandchildren, Mckenzie Steven, Alexis Ward, Kayla Thompson, Marisa Jester, David Rhoden, Dominick Rodriquez, Trevor Jester and Aidan Jester. He is also survived by his seven siblings, Trance Peters of South Bend, Robert (Connie) Anderson of South Bend, Linda Haimbaugh of Tucson, AZ, Ricky Andersen of South Bend, Randy Andersen of South Bend, Betty Banghart of Mishawaka and Robin Andersen of Elkhart, IN. Paul was a member of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. He joined the U.S. Army Reserve on August 1, 1985. Paul had a deep sense of duty to his family and his country. His love and courage will forever live in our hearts. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. today, Saturday, October 10, 2009, and from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2009, in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN. A funeral service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2009, in Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to Army Emergency Relief, 200 Stovall Street, Room 5-N-13, Alexandria, VA 22332-0600. For those who are unable to attend the funeral service, condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.