ONAGA - Paul "Smiley" Elder, 79, of Onaga, died Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at the Stormont-Vail Health Center in Topeka.

He was born July 5, 1941 on the farm southeast of Onaga, the son of Damien and Corrine Miller Elder. He graduated from Havensville High School in 1959.

Paul worked at Goodyear Tire in Topeka for thirty-three years. He was also a farmer and a stockman.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Onaga and Rubber Workers Local 307 in Topeka.

He married Gail Ward on March 3, 1962 in Onaga. She preceded him in death on December 31, 2013.

Paul was also preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Carol Bahret and Martha Bettencourt.

Survivors include three daughters, Paulette Mazur (Joe), Midway, GA, and Angela Venneberg (Fred) and Jo Lynn Obr, all of Onaga; a brother, Don Elder (Jenny), Havensville; eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren and several step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A Prayer Service and Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 1st, at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Onaga. Inurnment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, southeast of Onaga. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 312, Onaga, KS 66521.