Leslie 'Paul' Von Gillern

Leslie “Paul” Von Gillern, of Alexandria, Nebraska, was born February 3, 1946 at Waterloo, Iowa to Emil and Eve Von Gillern. His junior year in high school Paul went to live with his grandmother, Louva Chidester (or Lulu Belle Chester??) , who farmed east of Firth, Nebraska. He graduated from Panama High School in 1965. He joined the army and served for three years in Germany, where he drove a troop transport truck. On November, 16, 1968 Paul married Barbara Marsh, and three sons were born to the union, Paul Dwaine, Mark and Matthew. On February 24, 2003, Paul married his current wife, Dixie. Paul worked as a crane operator for Burlington Northern Railroad, then for 20 years owned Von Gillern Trenching. Then Paul worked for Consolidated Freight as a truck driver for 10 years. In his spare time, Paul loved to restore old cars. He was a super mechanic for high performance cars. In his young days, he drove stock cars. He even won a World National Championship Drag Race even in Omaha. More recently, Paul was self-employed as a mechanic. For years Paul was a member of Rosemont Alliance Church in Lincoln, and was currently a member of First Baptist Church in Fairbury, where he was active in the ministry of the church.
Paul is survived by his wife, Dixie; sons Paul Dwaine and Matthew; brother Larry and MaryEllen Von Gillern of Port Charlotte, Florida; sisters Kay and Mike Hayden of Valley, Nebraska, Julie Connell of Washington State, and Sue Johaningmeier of Independence, Iowa; ex-wife Barbara Marsh; granddaughter Erica Von Gillern of Lincoln, nieces and nephews, and many friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, his son Mark Von Gillern, and his grandmother Lulu Belle Chester.

Services will be on Monday, February 26, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the Baptist Church in Fairbury with Pastor Robin Stoops officiating. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. at the Mt. Olive Cemetery at Hamburg, Iowa.