Man hero to local retirement community

MULBERRY, INDIANA (WLFI) - Paul Weflen served in the U.S. Navy until 1946. When it was time to make a home for his family, Paul and his wife moved to Mulberry, Indiana. There, Weflen would spend the next 50 years working at his own business, upholstering furniture. He and his wife raised four children. Years later, Weflen's wife suffered a stroke.

She spent the last few years of her life at Mulberry Health and Retirement Community. When she died, Weflen wanted to give back to the place that he said had taken such good care of his wife for so long.

Paul Weflen knows the name of each one of the residents who come to breakfast at Mulberry Health and Retirement Community. He knows whether they prefer coffee or tea each morning, and serves it with a smile.

At 85 years old, Weflen volunteers each morning, seven days a week at the retirement home. He helps the staff serve breakfast and makes sure those who want to eat in the dining room can get to their seat.

"I put the silverware out on the table. I know where everyone sits and the bibs, the clothing protectors, put those out and check to make sure there is sugar and salt," said Paul Weflen.

Weflen adds, "I'm somewhat selfish, because I think it does me more good than it does anybody else. It gives me a reason to get out of bed and shave and get a shower and get moving. Otherwise, I would probably be a slob. Living by myself, and you know how that could go."

"He has such a positive outlook on life and he always has positive things to say, uplifting things to say to people. People enjoy seeing him and having him around, because he makes them feel good," said Administrator Mark Wolfschlag

Weflen is part of the family at the Mulberry Retirement Community. A place he counts on, as much as the staff and residents count on him.

"I think these people depend on me every morning and the nurses tell me if I'm not here, 'where's Paul?' So you know, it makes me feel good. It really does. It makes me feel good. It makes me feel loved," said Weflen.

Three days a week, Weflen comes back to the Mulberry Health and Retirement Community in the afternoon, to hand-deliver the residents' mail.