Elmhurst Community Mourns Dedicated Salvation Army Bell Ringer
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A familiar face who brought joy and support to the Elmhurst community for over two decades has died, leaving a void in the annual Red Kettle campaign.
- Roger Paulhus, a longtime Salvation Army bell ringer in Elmhurst, passed away unexpectedly the day before Christmas Eve.
- known for his unwavering dedication,Paulhus was a top earner for the Red Kettle campaign and a beloved figure in the community.
- He continued to ring the bell in all kinds of weather, prioritizing helping others above his own comfort.
- A memorial service will be held at the Salvation Army Community Center in oakbrook Terrace on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Elmhurst residents are remembering Roger Paulhus, a dedicated Salvation Army bell ringer who died suddenly on December 23rd. For more than 20 years, Paulhus was a fixture at the Jewel Osco on York Street, playing a vital role in the Red Kettle campaign and raising funds for local programs.
A Familiar Face and Generous Spirit
Customers at the Elmhurst Jewel Osco often recognized Paulhus during the holiday season.”He’s been here forever my husband grew up in Elmhurst and he remembered him from when he was young,” said Felecia Brandies-Konieczka. “He always said hello and super pleasant he was always there.” His consistent presence and warm demeanor made him a cherished part of the community’s holiday traditions.
Paulhus’s commitment extended beyond simply showing up; he was consistently a top fundraiser for the Salvation Army,contributing to essential services like the food pantry and emergency assistance programs. he rarely missed a shift, even braving inclement weather to continue his work.
Sudden Passing and a Community’s Grief
Last week, Paulhus contacted the salvation Army to report feeling unwell. “On Monday he had called us to let us know that he wasn’t feeling well and so tuesday morning we went and we said ‘Roger is not answering the phone, he’s not answering any texts,'” said Salvation Army Captain Enrique Coreano. “So we went and did a wellness check on him and that’s when we found the news.” Paulhus died from natural causes.
Coreano expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, “We considered him part of our family so it was vrey challenging for many of us around here.” He described Paulhus as a man of few words who commanded respect and demonstrated unwavering kindness and grace.
Unwavering Dedication to Service
Despite facing harsh conditions, Paulhus remained steadfast in his commitment. “I would ask him different questions, ‘alright Roger, are you okay, is this okay, are you going to be okay?'” Coreano shared. “He would say ‘just put me out there, just put me out there’-he was never concerned about himself.”
Coreano learned from Paulhus’ family that ringing the bell brought him immense joy during the holidays and allowed him to forge meaningful connections with community members. “He’s going to be missed and it’s going to be hard to replace Roger,” Coreano added.
Honoring His Legacy
In tribute to Paulhus’s service, fellow volunteers manned a kettle in the final two days of the campaign to honour his memory. His contributions are estimated to have helped hundreds, if not thousands, of families in need. “He was just so kind and so generous he would just say yeah, well, I’m just trying to help out the community and we would just want to say thank you,” Coreano said.
A church service to celebrate Paulhus’s life will be held at the Salvation Army Community Center in Oakbrook Terrace on sunday morning at 11 a.m.
