Paul Eldon Sly passed away on December 12, 2024, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.
Paul was born on September 2,1940, in Ft. Madison, Iowa, to Arthur and Lois Sly. He grew up in Nauvoo, Illinois, alongside his brother, Dennis. In 1958, he graduated Valedictorian of his class from Nauvoo High School and continued his education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. After completing two years of study, he transferred to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, to complete a degree in Civil Engineering. While there, he was an active member of the Beta Sigma Psi Fraternity.
After college, he relocated to Nevada, Iowa, where he began his career with the Highway Department and welcomed his two eldest children, David and Diane.
In 1972, he arrived in Ft. Madison, Iowa, and took a position as Ft. Madison City Engineer. That same year, on a blind date, he met the love of his life, Jyll, who he affectionately called “Tiger”. Their love blossomed and on March 9,1974, Paul and Jyll were married on an unseasonably warm spring day at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ft. Madison. Soon after, Paul formally adopted his youngest daughter, Ronda, who he named “Charlie Brown”, completing the family.
In 1977, Paul enrolled at University of Iowa to pursue a Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering. Upon completion, the family relocated to the Quad Cities where he worked for French & Hecht. In 1980, the family returned to Nauvoo where he worked for the First Mississippi and Chevron factories, finally settling into his career as Hancock County Highway Engineer until retirement.
Paul was committed to public service. He was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church, where he served many terms on the church council and taught Sunday school. In retirement, Paul continued his work in the community. He served as president of both the Nauvoo Food Pantry and Nauvoo Seniors Organization. He was particularly proud of his work on the planning committee for the newly opened Nauvoo Community Center.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed many hobbies. He loved spending time in his workshop. He designed and built a one-of-a-kind home along the Mississippi River, doing most of the work alongside his wife. He had a decades-long passion project working on his beloved vintage 1970s VW bus. He was a member of the Astronomy Club and took every chance he could to learn about and look at the stars. He loved playing pool with friends and taking long country drives with Tiger, as well as quiet time reading and listening to classical music.
To his friends and family, Paul was known for his dry wit and intellectual curiosity. He enjoyed lively conversation and debate. He was a loving grandfather to four grandchildren, who spent many childhood summers vacationing at their home along the river.
He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Lois, his brother Dennis, and nephew Donald.
Paul is survived by his wife Jyll, his children David (Melissa), Diane, and Ronda, grandchildren Morgan, Matthew, Madison, Max, nephew Scott, and great nieces Elizabeth (Lane), and Autumn.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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