Paul sorry to hear about your dad he was a very nice and loving man but the way i will remember him is when you all would come to Tommys Restaurant and he would order breakfast at noon time and my mom was the cook there and all he had to do was smile at my mom
Donna Mae Hansel
March 6, 2024
Mary Beth and family,
I was so saddened to hear of your dad’s passing. What a wonderful long and spiritual life he was blessed to live. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We winter in Arizona or we would have come to his celebration of life!.
Carol Lensing
March 4, 2024
Mary Beth and family,
I was so saddened to hear of your dad’s passing. What a wonderful long and spiritual life he was blessed to live. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We winter in Arizona or we would have come to his celebration of life!.
Carol Lensing
March 3, 2024
I remember so well the advice Mr. Phelan gave to my husband and I regarding our business, Schumacher Carpets. We had a client who we were reluctantly taking to Small Claims Court. Unsure about doing that Mr. Phelan kindly informed us, “never be afraid of small claims court”, and he was so right! Such a nice man with such a wonderful family!
Kathy Schumacher
March 2, 2024
Paul was used by God to make our world a better place.
I am so thankful to God that Paul was a gentle mentor to me, which began when I worked at CR Paint at age 15
My own life & childhood were greatly impacted by the death of my brother Johnny, who died at Boy Scout Camp 1960.
Ps 139 God knows the days of our lives before they are here
I also thank God that I saw both Tom & Paul in July 2018 when I was down for a reunion.
Tom was surprised to see me, he was my diving coach, and a very good coach, and he said wait a minute...and out comes Paul from the warehouse.
We would have talked for hours, it was amazing to see them both, and I was devastated to hear about Tom, but death of our loved ones, has a way of drawing us nearer to God, and that is the good thing, for our days are numbered as well.
God bless all of you Phelans & descendants! I wish I could attend Paul's sending off to heaven Mass! but I will be praying for him & all of you!
Martin Miller
March 1, 2024
To the whole Phelen Clan,
What an amazing man you have had as a role model for your entire life! Cherish the vibrant memories! May God grant you peace. May Poppa Phelen RIP-Heaven gained an Angel to watch over all of us!
Lisa Tow
March 1, 2024
One word describes ALL the Phelans ---AWESOME!! Loved babysitting Carly and Stevie for Fran and Steve. Always made me feel like a part of their family. 1000 percent love them today, tomorrow, and always. Sincere condolences. Cherish the memories. The PHELANS ROCK. Love to all.
rebecca stone
March 1, 2024
Paul and the entire Phelan family, your dad was a special man and someone who was looked up to and someone who you want your children to grow up like. I am blessed to have known him. My wife Barb and I wish to share our joy with you that he is now with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We also grieve the loss you feel .. Remember it is not good bye but I will see you later dad.
Frank Stephen
March 1, 2024
The Chadima family sends all its love condolences thoughts love and prayers 🙏
God's peace comfort and sympathy
God bless Paul and the entire family
Austin Chadima
February 29, 2024
We feel like Cedar Rapids has lost one of its great pillars. Paul was a great man with a great smile and he made you smile with his great sense of humor and warmth. We offer our sympathy to his large and wonderful family with whom we have interacted in many ways. Paul may have played football for my (Denny's) father at Franklin, as an example. He will be long remembered as a wonderful person, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Karla and Dennis Goettel
February 29, 2024
Mary Beth my deepest condolences to you and family, absolutely great memories of your father and family from the days on 5th.
Jim williams
February 28, 2024
So sorry for the loss of a wonderful man!
We remember when we had our first baby, he said “She’s adorable! Don’t you just want to eat her up!” Thanks for that memory ❤️🙏🏻
Lauren & Joe Crippes
Lauren Crippes
February 28, 2024
Paul was a great guy! Always had a ready smile! Betty and he were pillars of the St. Matthew and Cedar Rapids communities. What wonderful memories you’ll have of them!
John Wollner
February 28, 2024
To all of Paul's family- we will not pretend to imagine how hard it is to move forward without Paul. He and Betty were totally genuine and delighted with life! Perhaps my favorite memory is when we lived across the street from them and they invited our son (3 years old) to come over to play with their children. Our little guy came home to report they had been jumping on beds which of course I doubted -- but the continued story was "It's ok - their mom says they all jump on the beds". That zest for joy and laughter is certainly a big part of the Phelan legacy! Our hearts go out to you along with our sympathies.
Sue and Ron Olson
February 28, 2024
To the Phelan family:
Please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences. Those we love are never really lost to us as their special love lives on. Remember the fun times and the love your shared. Hold on to those memories and continue to hear his voice and don’t ever stop talking to him. May the light of love and warmth of memories bring peace to you.
I have known Paul and the Phelan family for over 50 years. Paul was truly a caring, kind man with a contagious smile. He was thoughtful and considerate to all. He gave the best shoulder massages ever. I am sure all of us will miss him. And to paraphrase a Phelan tradition. LOVE YOU. Prayers for your hearts to heal. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
God bless
Jim Voss
Jim Voss
February 28, 2024
To the entire Phelan family, please accept my condolences on your profound loss. He was one of a kind and so important to Cedar Rapids.
Kathy McHugh Bauer
February 28, 2024
I liked Paul the first time I met him in the paint store when I was going to paint my house. He steered me in the right direction. Since then I knew him in the Rotary Club, and got to know Paul and Tom to understand his family. Always a smile when we met. Great Man!
I celebrate his life. He lived it well.
William C. Jacobson Retired Public School Educator.
william Jacobson
February 28, 2024
None better than Paul. He was a person that is unique and a friend to all. God will enjoy him too. My prayers will always include him.
Jim McCarthy
February 28, 2024
16 years of working for your dad, and having the friendship of your family has meant so much to me. I remember all of you with love.
Dorothy Wharton
February 28, 2024
Paul was a great guy! Always had a ready smile! Betty and he were pillars of the St. Matthew and Cedar Rapids communities. What wonderful memories you’ll have of them!
John Wollner
February 28, 2024
Memory Eternal
I knew Paul from Cedar Rapids Paint. We had income property so we traded there several times a week. No matter how good I felt walking in the back door of the store, Paul always made me feel better when I left. May God be merciful.
Fr. Raphael Abrham
February 28, 2024
We have wonderful memories of Paul and of Betty......we were grateful for the time they spent with us after our daughter died. Betty and Sally had many lunches together and to this day remembers all Bettys advice..even in Florida today I remember Betty saying " Lets each pay our own then we will do it more often...." many times I tried to treat her to lunch....I recently said this very thing to a friend..smiled thinking of Betty.....When our daughter got married I purchased so many honeymoon things for her in Bettys boutique at the store...I still have things in my closet I purchased for myself from Betty...lots of memories and lots of fun........what a saintly man......loved the obituary....so well written and honored him so perfectly....
Sally and Gene Kopecky
February 28, 2024
I'm so sorry to hear of Paul's passing. I will always remember how sweet he was when I meet him at St Matt at mass, always had a smile for you. God gained another angel today. Your Family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Barb Vajgrt
February 28, 2024
was an honor to have work with your father and you Paul
Everett Krug - Rinderknecht Assoc.
February 28, 2024
I am so sorry for your loss, may this great man rest in peace. Love you all. Ginger Chavez
Virginia M Chavez
February 27, 2024
What a beautiful story, I hope all the stories and memories in the days to come will allow your smiles to return. A life well lived, well loved, thank you for sharing his story and many hugs and prayers of healing headed your way.
Peggy Bragg
February 27, 2024