Paul H. Tjaden, 83, of 2167 St. Rt. 251, Minonk, died at 8:45 a.m. Monday (Sept. 5, 2005) at Bromenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Minonk. The Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe will officiate. Burial will be in Minonk Township Cemetery with military rites accorded. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services on Thursday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Minonk.

Paul was born on May 30, 1922, in Roanoke Township, Woodford County, to Herman and Megalina Backer Tjaden. He married Erma Ioerger on July 6, 1947, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk. She survives.

Other survivors include three sons, Darryl (Bonnie) Tjaden of Vandalia, Arlin (Mary) Tjaden of Roanoke and Richard (Linda) Tjaden of Bloomington; one daughter, Alice (Roger) Obert of Minonk; one brother, Herman (Marjorie) Tjaden of Roanoke; and seven grandchildren.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Ludwig and Henry; and one sister, Emma.

He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II in the South Pacific and was a member of the Minonk American Legion for many years.

Paul was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk, and was a lifetime member of the International Order of Oddfellows and the Woodford County Farm Bureau.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Chicago Shriners Hospital.