Paul Dayhoff
Paul Dayhoff
Paul Dayhoff
October 8, 1925 – April 26, 2020
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 94
Paul Dayhoff, 94, entered the eternal joys of Heaven on April 26, 2020 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Paul was born October 8, 1925 in Brackpan, Transvaal, South Africa to Rev. Irvin Earl and Fannie (Longenecker) Dayhoff.
Paul grew up in the Transvaal. He attended the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and the Johannesburg College of Education where he majored in History and Sotho, graduating with his BA degree and Teaching Certificate.
In September 1945 he was drafted into the United States Army at Accra, Gold Coast Africa (Ghana). He spent 20 months in the Army at the end of WW2.
In 1948 he enrolled in Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, where he studied for an MDiv degree. While there he met Kathleen Taylor, and in September 1950 they were married. Soon afterward Paul was ordained into ministry by the International Holiness Mission (IHM). Kathleen died in February 1952. Later that year Paul met Margaret Stark.
After completing his degree at Asbury, Paul returned to South Africa alone as a missionary just in time to participate in a service of merger of IHM with the Church of the Nazarene. He corresponded with Margaret back in the States while she completed her education. Paul asked her in a letter to marry him. She replied, “Yes.” After her college graduation she boarded a ship and sailed for South Africa, arriving in August 1954.
Paul and Margaret were married September 11, 1954 and were married for over 60 years. They had 4 children: Paula, Patricia, Elizabeth, and James. Margaret preceded him in death on February 17, 2015.
Paul loved God and spent his life following God’s call and direction. His life was spent teaching high school, Bible College, and degree education. He spent several years planting church congregations, building churches and parsonages, and of course, preaching and teaching every chance he got. He earned his Th.D. degree from The University of South Africa in 1980. Most of his missionary work was spent in South Africa and Swaziland.
Paul was a wonderful husband and father and he loved his family. He was an avid reader, and he loved to fish and play games with his family. He was a lifelong learner and loved to teach. He loved Africa and the African people. He learned several languages and after he retired, he wrote a history of the African church people relating how God had changed their lives and used them to continue to spread God’s word in Africa.
Paul is survived by his four children: Paula (& Rev. H. Mark) Else, of Omaha, NE; Patricia Barnes, of Los Angeles, CA; Elizabeth (& Dayrel) Gates of Pella, IA; and James (Christy Overstreet) Dayhoff of San Diego, CA; eight grandchildren: Sherri (& Blaze) Criqui; Rachael Barnes; Anthony (& Jeanna) Else; Rebecca (& Lee) Williams; Emily (& Patrick) Heflin; Madalyn Gates; Julian Dayhoff, and Nicholas Dayhoff; great-grandchildren: Abigail Else, Alexander Else, Jackson Else, James Else, Parker (& Jessica) Criqui, Hailey Criqui, Erin Williams, Kaitlyn Williams, and Milo Heflin; A great-great-grandchild, Aiden Criqui; and his sister in law, Elizabeth (& Dr.John) Taylor of Dayton, OH.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Kathleen Taylor Dayhoff; his second wife, Margaret Stark Dayhoff; and son-in-law, Ron Barnes.
As was his wish, Paul’s body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Paul Dayhoff please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
