Paul Bernard Seiwald

Paul Bernard Seiwald, 93, of Centralia, Kansas, formerly of Vermillion, died Thursday, June 8, 2023, at the Eastridge Nursing Facility.  He was a long-time resident of the area.

Paul was born on January 7, 1930, in Eudora, Kansas, the son of Berthold and Martha (Schehrer) Seiwald.  He graduated from Eudora High School in 1948 and studied chemistry at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri.  Paul served in the United States Army serving in South Korea during the Korean Conflict, where he achieved the rank of sergeant and was awarded two Bronze Stars.

Paul married Mary Catherine Kennedy on June 18, 1960, in Lillis, Kansas.  After nearly 59 years with their lives intertwined, Mary preceded him in death on April 29, 2019.

Paul had a career as a research chemist at Midwest Research Institute.  In 1983, he retired and moved with Mary to a small farm in Vermillion.

There he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lillis, where he served as a Church Council member.  After the church closed, Paul, has been a member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Frankfort.  Paul had many interests.  He was an avid player of Horseshoes, loved to play golf and fish, and he and Mary’s gardens were well known in the community.

But Paul’s real passion was painting. A self-taught artist, Paul completed over 300 paintings and sculptures throughout his life. His style of painting has been compared to Thomas Hart Benton, Salvador Dali and Dr. Seuss.  Instead of painting on canvas, he painted on plywood panels prepared and textured with wood putty. He also created the frames for his paintings.  His landscape paintings often feature an old red barn with surreal trees and barbed-wire fence posts.  Paul painted mainly for his own satisfaction   .

Paul is survived by his daughter, Karen Faust of Olathe; his grandchildren, Daniel Faust, Olathe and Leah Duncan (Tanner) of Wichita; his siblings, Dee Seiwald (Barb), Eudora, and Mary Hennessy, Jacksonville, Florida; his sister-in-law, Barbara Seiwald, and his nieces, nephews and friends.  Paul was also preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law, Kevin Faust, and a brother, Don Seiwald.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11: OO am, Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Frankfort, Kansas.  Father Reginald Saldanha will be the Celebrant.  The family will greet friends from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, at the church, prior to the Mass.  A Rosary prayer service will be held at 10:30 am.  Paul’s body will be cremated following the Mass and inurned in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lillis at a later date.  Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, and those may be sent in care of Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego.  Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.