Paul Frederick Etheridge age 83, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2023 in Tipton surrounded by his family.  He was born July 20, 1939 in Tipton.  His parents were Helen (Retherford) Etheridge and Cleo Etheridge.

In his years following high school, Paul joined the Army and was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany for much of his time served. Following the Army, Paul moved to sunny St. Petersburg, Florida where he would meet his wife in 1961.  After only a 3-month engagement, he married the love his life, Joan Doris (Hutton) Etheridge in St. Petersburg, Florida with whom he was married to for 59 years and had four sons.

He also joined Florida Power Corporation working in their electrical metering department. In 1979, Paul was offered a job in Indiana as a contractor servicing electric companies and municipalities.  In 1981, he decided to venture out on his own and started Tipton Testing Center, a company that he and his wife would successfully own and operate for 20 years.  Paul was an expert in the field of electrical meters and was well known throughout the Midwest in his field.

Paul had a strong faith in God and was an active member at Emanuel Lutheran Church.  His favorite pastimes were spending time with his children, grandchildren and friends, gardening, grilling steaks out and telling jokes.  Anyone who knew him would describe him as easy-going, funny, dedicated and protective.

Paul is survived by his sons, Scott, Steven, and Bradley; grandchildren, Adam, Kyle, Katlyn, Allison and Lane; great-grandchildren, Thatcher and Ada: siblings Francis Etheridge and Suzann Conaway.  His wife Joan (2021) and son Jeffrey (2007) preceded him in death.

The family would like to thank all of his caregivers who cared for him over the past two years; Heritage Woods of Noblesville, The Waters of Tipton (formally Millers Merry Manor) and Transitions Hospice. One caregiver in particular the family would like to honor and recognize is Dawn DeWitt for her unwavering love and devotion to Paul and the Etheridge family.

Please join us in celebrating his life on Friday, June 9 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 1385 S. Main Street, Tipton, with visitation between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon with a memorial service starting at 12:00 p.m. Immediately following the service will be a graveside service at Fairview Cemetery. After the burial, guests are invited back to the Etheridge home for refreshments and to share memories of Paul.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org or mail to: Alzheimers Association, 50 East 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Etheridge family during their time of need.