Paula Wertenberger

Paula Jean Wertenberger, age 82, of Union, MI, passed away with her family by her side on June 15, 2026. Paula was born on December 10, 1943, in Wabash, IN, to Paul and Jean Bishop. After Paul lost his life serving our country during WWII, Paula was raised by her mother, Jean (Bishop) Frieden, and Lawrence Frieden.

Paula went to Ball State, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. She married her husband, Charles E. Wertenberger, on May 8, 1964, in West Lafayette, Indiana. She was a wife and mother of 4. After losing her husband in 1978, she returned to the workforce in insurance and later owned Wertenberger’s Insurance Company in Union.

Paula was faithful, a loyal friend, a good listener and, despite losing her eyesight through Macular Degeneration, was always able to give the best directions. She enjoyed reading, music, bible study, and spending time with her friends & family. Over the years, Paula served in the church in many ways (both Chapel Hill Missionary Church and Tri Lakes Community Church) by preparing meals for the church food pantry, as well as playing the piano and the organ. She was generous, a caretaker and often up to take a drive.

Paula is survived by her children, Lissa (Scott) Hilton of Saugatuck; MI; Garry (Pamela) Wertenberger of St. Clair Shore, MI; Amy (Andrew) Hampton of Dallas, TX; and Andrew (Tammi) Wertenberger of Cambridge, MD., grandchildren, Tristan (Kemri) Hilton; Kayla (Daniel) Bosch; Kellen (Annabelle) Hilton; Charles “Lucas” Wertenberger; Lindsey Wertenberger; Peter Hampton; Lucinda Hampton; and Henry Hampton, as well as great-grandchildren Kent, Warren, Liam, Lee, and Kasey. Paula was preceded in death by her father Paul Bishop; mother Wilma “Jean” Frieden and husband Charles Wertenberger.

Visitation will be held from 3-7 PM on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Tri Lakes Community Church, 50755 CR 23 Bristol, IN 46507, and from 9:30 to 10:30 AM before the 11 AM service on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the church with Pastor Doreen Mast and Pastor Lester Sumrall. Burial will follow at Woodruff Cemetery in Wolcottville, IN. (Please arrive at 2pm at Woodruff Grove Church, 4860 S 450 East, Wolcottville, IN 46795 to go in procession to the cemetery.) In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Tri Lakes Community Church www.trilakes.org or Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired www.michigancounciloftheblind.org Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd, Elkhart, IN, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made to Paula’s family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com