Paul J. Thurston, 78, of Columbus, died at 2:44 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at his home. Mr. Thurston was a member of Columbus First Church of the Nazarene and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He had worked at CP Electronics in Columbus where he met his bride, Jennie, and retired from the Fort Benjamin Harrison Financial Center in Indianapolis. Paul and Jennie did craft shows in the area. He loved bluegrass music and attended local gospel bluegrass events and also held an auctioneer's license. Memorial contributions may be made to Bartholomew County Humane Society or Columbus First Church of the Nazarene. Born in Jennings County Feb. 24, 1933, Mr. Thurston was the son of Paul and Ethel Schafer Thurston. He married Wilma Jean Shelton June 22, 1957. She preceded him in death Dec. 19, 2007. Mr. Thurston is survived by three aunts, Margaret Staublin and Elsie Hatfield, both of Columbus, and Edna Bowling of North Vernon; nieces and nephews, Cindy Feldman, Debbie Mills, Penny Roseberry and Robert Shields, all of Chambersburg, PA, and Jeff Burris of Franklin, IN; several cousins; and his best friend, his dog, Mikie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and sisters, Marjorie Burris and Ruth Ellen Shields. You may light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the Internet. SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Saturday December 10, 2011 Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home VISITATION: 9:30 a.m. unitl service time at the funeral home BURIAL: Garland Brook Cemetery

Paul J. Thurston, 78, of Columbus, died at 2:44 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at his home. Mr. Thurston was a member of Columbus First Church of the Nazarene and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He had worked at CP Electronics in Columbus where he met his bride, Jennie, and retired from the Fort Benjamin Harrison Financial Center in Indianapolis. Paul and Jennie did craft shows in the area. He loved bluegrass music and attended local gospel bluegrass events and also held an auctioneer?s license. Memorial contributions may be made to Bartholomew County Humane Society or Columbus First Church of the Nazarene. Born in Jennings County Feb. 24, 1933, Mr. Thurston was the son of Paul and Ethel Schafer Thurston. He married Wilma Jean Shelton June 22, 1957. She preceded him in death Dec. 19, 2007. Mr. Thurston is survived by three aunts, Margaret Staublin and Elsie Hatfield, both of Columbus, and Edna Bowling of North Vernon; nieces and nephews, Cindy Feldman, Debbie Mills, Penny Roseberry and Robert Shields, all of Chambersburg, PA, and Jeff Burris of Franklin, IN; several cousins; and his best friend, his dog, Mikie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and sisters, Marjorie Burris and Ruth Ellen Shields. You may light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the Internet. SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Saturday December 10, 2011 Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home VISITATION: 9:30 a.m. unitl service time at the funeral home BURIAL: Garland Brook Cemetery