FAIRMOUNT
Paul Stephen Whybrew was born March 12, 1950 in Fairmount Indiana to Joe and Ruth (Shelton) Whybrew and passed away on March 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, surrounded by loved ones after a sudden and brief illness.
Paul attended Liberty Township School in Grant County and graduated from Fairmount High School in 1968. He served in the US Army from 1969 – 1971, being stationed in the Canal Zone in Panama as a military policeman. He graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in teaching in 1975. He earned his Master’s Degree in counseling and education in 1977 from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Paul was a teacher and counselor at St. Paul’s (formerly Marion Bennett High School) in Marion Indiana and later at Noblesville High School. He was a guidance counselor at Mt. Vernon High School from 1984 until his retirement in 2008.
Paul enjoyed flying, bicycling, hiking, traveling, camping, gardening, woodworking, playing volleyball, watching the Pacers, and going to Indianapolis Indians baseball games. He was a past member of the Fortville Lions Club, the Mt. Vernon Classroom Teachers Association, and the Indiana School Counselor Association. He was also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA Chapter 1121), Indy Flyers (EAA Chapter 1527), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).
In 1969 Paul rode his bicycle with Taylor University’s Wandering Wheels group from Miami FL to Seattle WA. In 1972 he accompanied Adventures Unlimited (AU) bicycle group from Santa Monica CA to Jacksonville FL. Forty years later, the AU group started an annual gathering, reuniting a circle of very caring and dear friends.
Paul’s travels enabled him to visit all 50 states. He spent five summers in Yellowstone National Park driving a tour bus. During his time off he and Susie hiked hundreds of miles of trails, enjoying God’s natural wonders and wildlife. Yellowstone was one of his favorite places to visit and he enjoyed sharing his love and knowledge of the park with family and friends.
Paul developed a love of flying, and in 1998 he became the proud owner of his first powered parachute. He first became a Basic Flight Instructor (BFI) then later a Sport Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). He enjoyed trips to Oshkosh WI, Sun ‘n Fun in FL, and many other fly-ins throughout the Midwest. When he retired from education Why Fly Inc. was created so he could further pursue his passion of flying and teaching. He ultimately realized a dream when Whybrew Field became a certified airstrip.
When he wasn’t flying, Paul enjoyed spending time with his cherished grandchildren by giving them rides on his big mower or tractor, digging dirt in the garden, feeding the birds, or just playing.
Paul is survived by his wife of 42 years Susie (Hoyt) Whybrew, daughter Sarah Haag (Doug) Fortville, son Todd (Kathleen) Whybrew Pittsboro, grandchildren Koen, Sheamus, and Faye, brother David Whybrew Upland, sisters Jewel Pereira Phoenix, Rebecca Delgado Phoenix, and many neices, nephews, and cousins.
Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held on Saturday March 24 at 2:00 pm at Armes-Hunt Funeral Home located at 415 S. Main St. Fairmount Indiana 46928 (tel 765-948-4178). Visitation will be from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Friday March 23 at the funeralhome.
Memorial contributions may be made to Yellowstone Forever, PO Box 117, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 (tel 406-848-2400). Contributions may be made online at www.yellowstone.org or in care of the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com
