Paul E. Entz
February 24, 1930 – August 22, 2024
Paul Entz was born on February 24, 1930 in Newton, Kansas. His parents raised Paul along with his two brothers and three sisters in a Christian home. The Bible was read every morning before breakfast. The family attended Sunday School and church every Sunday.
Paul was 11 years old when he and his father returned home one summer evening from threshing wheat and received word that one of his father’s closest friends died unexpectedly. Paul thought to himself, “If I died suddenly, I would not go to heaven to meet God.” That evening before he and his father got home, Paul decided to receive Christ as his personal Savior from sin.
Paul’s parents valued Christian education and sent Paul to high school at Hesston Academy and Berean Academy. Paul enjoyed working on the farm and planned to become a farmer. While attending Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, he decided to be a missionary. There he met the love of his life, Barbara, who was also a student preparing to be a missionary. They married in 1954 while both completed their degrees at Wheaton College (Illinois).
In 1956, Paul and Barbara joined an international mission agency, Sudan Interior Mission (now SIM International). In 1957, along with their daughter, Paul and Barbara sailed to Ethiopia. Four more children were born in Ethiopia.
Over the next 40 years Paul and Barbara served in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya. Their ministry focused primarily on teaching the Bible to those who in turn would serve God by serving their own people.
In 1996 Paul and Barbara retired from ministry in Africa and settled in Omaha. Soon after arrival, they met many refugees from South Sudan who felt like strangers in a foreign land. Paul spent a great deal of time helping them adjust to a new country and customs as well as assisting them with English. Paul also used Bible correspondence courses to help the Sudanese and other internationals read and understand English and also hear the Gospel message.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a sister, and his son. Paul is survived by his wife, four daughters, fourteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two sisters, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: Monday, August 26, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Heafey, Hoffman, Dworak & Cutler (7805 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68124).
MEMORIAL SERVICE & LUNCH: Memorial service will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at Community Bible Church (3616 So. 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68144). For those unable to attend in person, the service will be available online (see church website for the link). Lunch will be served for all at the church immediately following the service.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Memorial gifts may be sent to SIM USA (online giving via <simusa.org> or by mail to 14830 Choate Circle, Charlotte, NC 28273-9105). Indicate that the gift is in memory of Paul Entz and designate for the Ethiopian Media Ministry, Account #083280-091.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
13 Comments
My deepest condolences to you and your family my dear Barbra .“I’m so sad for your loss ,wishing you peace and comfort in these difficult days..praying for You my dear 🙏🏻
Alan and I have you all in our thoughts and prayers. May you all find peace and comfort in this difficult time knowing that Paul is with his Lord and Savior.
Martha (Steve’s sister)
My condolences to you my dear friend Barbara. I know that in difficult times like this, God is our strength and our all because it is He, our creator, how decides everything. He decided for Paul to be with Him in eternity. God has him in a special confortable place. A big big hug for you and your fdmily.
Barbara, we thank God for Paul’s long life of love and service and pray for you and your family as you grieve his loss. We too share his hope of heaven.
Paul and Barbara were a blessing and example to us during the time we shared in Ethiopia and since. i am so grateful that God brought them into our lives and that we will see them again.
You two have so blessed us over the years. Your faithfulness in human kindness and ongoing ministry have beautifully glorified our dear Lord. I look forward with joy to Reunion before long!
Dear Barbara and Family: We celebrated you and your 70th Wedding Anniversary at our church this morning, not knowing yet of Paul’s passing. God bless you richly for the faithful service that you have both given on the missions field and in the greater Omaha area ever since. Your lives have touched many others. Well done, good and faithful servant, Paul Entz. God’s blessings and comfort to all of you. Venango Community Church, Venango, NE
Last night we received a message from Zenebe in Ethiopia telling of Paul’s home going. We send you our love and prayers during this time of grief. How wonderful to be assured that Paul is with the Lord and rejoicing in His presence.
Our deepest condolence for the family of Paul and Barbara in this difficult time . Mr. Paul Entz has served his almighty father እግዚአብሔር through out his life and accomplished his journey, Acts 20:24.
His soul is now in peace and heaven, Glory be to God.
We have come to know you, as servant of God in Ethiopia’s missionary service through our parents Ato Teferra W/M and Belaynesh few years before retiring in mid 1990’s .
The sharing of God ‘s word, supports to our family and visits services to our homes while working SIM media in Addis has been a blessing and strength for our journey of Christianity life as a new couple
by then.
May the almighty God bless all our parents like family , Paul and Barbara’s family now and then.
Our deepest condolence for the family of Paul and Barbara in this difficult time . Mr. Paul Entz has served his almighty father እግዚአብሔር through out his life and accomplished his journey, Acts 20:24.
His soul is now in peace and heaven, Glory be to God.
We have come to know you, as servant of God in Ethiopia’s missionary service through our parents Ato Teferra W/M and Belaynesh few years before retiring in mid 1990’s .
The sharing of God ‘s word, supports to our family and visits services to our homes while working SIM media in Addis has been a blessing and strength for our journey of Christianity life .
May the almighty God bless all our parents like family , Paul and Barbara’s family now and then.
Our deepest condolence for the family of Paul and Barbara in this difficult time . Mr. Paul Entz has served his almighty father እግዚአብሔር through out his life and accomplished his journey, Acts 20:24.
His soul is now in peace and heaven, Glory be to God.
I have special memories of being with you in Ethiopia – driving by your place on our way from Addis Ababa to Burji. Paul is home with Jesus! What can be better than that? Besides being with their Lord & Savior, maybe he & John have been chatting & enjoying Ethiopian friends. Fun thoughts. Anyway, we know that it’s got to be extra wonderful to be “home”. Love & prayers for you & your family – from Jeanette & girls
Dear Barbara – I wanted to send my sympathies to you and all your family in your loss of Paul! What a full life he lived and I thank God for his faithfulness. Praying God’s guidance and peace through this journey until we meet again in heaven. I regret that I never got my Mom over to see you all before she passed in April.
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