Paula Louise Schelm

Paula Louise (Swisher) Schelm, 82, of Plainfield and formerly of Monrovia, passed peacefully from this life with her devoted husband and sons by her side on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. She was born in Indianapolis, IN on September 10, 1942, to the late Paul “Pete” and Louise (Duncan) Swisher. The youngest child of three, Paula grew up in Mooresville attending the local school throughout her life. In high school, she was the class treasurer, a member of the honor society, and sang in the school’s choir. Introduced to her future husband and soulmate, Herb, by close friends, the two love birds hit it off immediately, beginning their 64-year love journey. After graduating with the class of 1960, she and Herb were joyously united in marriage on September 16, 1960. Delving into motherhood the following year, Paula and Herb were blessed with their two boys, Eric and Tony the Irish twins, within the first two years of marriage. Working in the family business, Vincent’s Fur and Leather, Paula began her career as a part-time secretary while the kids were young and later became full-time as a bookkeeper, and buyer when the boys were self-sufficient. When the business closed in 2012, she worked for Chico’s, Kohl’s as well as the gift shop at St. Francis hospital in Mooresville. The family of four regularly took vacations driving to Michigan to fish, Colorado to camp in the mountains, and Florida to soak up the sun on the sandy beaches of Daytona and New Smyrna. In addition, she flew to New York on business trips and enjoyed the tropical climate of the Caribbean. When the grandkids came along, Paula was known to take them on impromptu trips to Disney World, riding in a limo to the airport and hoping on a plane to have breakfast with Disney princesses. A stellar cook, a trait she learned from her mother-in-law, Paula hosted Thanksgiving yearly for not only her immediate family but also for extended family and frequently was known to invite random people who didn’t have family to spend the holiday with. She went all out for Christmas delivering matching pajamas to her family on Christmas Eve leaving their packages on their doorstep signing them from Mrs. Claus. A member of the 60’s chicks, she and her fellow 1960 Mooresville High School alums met for lunch once a month (the third Friday so it was easy to remember), where they shared stories, caught up on life, and laughed. A true fashionista, Paula continuously dressed to the hilt and accessorized with fancy jewelry. She was classy, elegant, had a wonderful sense of humor, and absolutely loved to shop till she dropped. She cared deeply for her family and remained giving and thoughtful throughout her years. Paula will be forever remembered and deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her. Along with her parents, Paula was preceded in death by her sister, Janet Mackenzie. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 64 years, Vincent Herbert “Herb” Schelm of Plainfield; sons, Eric Schelm (Annie) of Plainfield, and Tony Schelm (LaVennia Foxx) of Monrovia; brother, Charles “Bud” Swisher (Jackie) of Mooresville; grandchildren, Sarah Marks of Mooresville, Erica Monjaraz (Israel) of Plainfield, Anna Newton (Dustin) of Trafalgar, Kyle Ledeboer of Pheonix, AZ, and Erica Howarth (David) of Leesburg, VA; and great grandchildren, Arleigh, Briar, Camellia, Dalia, Jordyn, Julian, and Gwendolyn; along with a host of close friends. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. Friends and family are invited to gather for visitation from 11:00am until 2:00pm on Thursday, January 23, 2025, with a Celebration of Life Service beginning promptly at 2:00pm. Pastor Keenan Steinway will officiate, and Paula will be laid to rest in Hall White Lick Cemetery in Mooresville. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in her memory, please visit her tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

Tributes

Paula Louise Schelm

September 10, 1942 - January 15, 2025