Paul Allen Brentlinger

Paul Allen Brentlinger

The composing room at The Toledo Blade is down by one retired typesetter. Paul Allen Brentlinger, age 89 of Toledo, went to be with the Lord and his wife, after a blessed life of almost 90 years on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Born on February 22, 1937, in Swanton, Ohio, to James and Edith Brentlinger, Paul was the youngest of six siblings. His siblings, Margie Dunbar, Lawrence Brentlinger, Donald Brentlinger, Undine Sevrence, and James "Jim" Brentlinger, have all preceded him in passing.

Paul graduated from Swanton High School in 1954. He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960 and in the reserves until 1966. In 1962, he began working at The Toledo Blade in the composing room where he learned typesetting on the old Linotype machines, a hot metal typesetting system. He then helped transition to computerized typesetting in 1979. After 37 years of service, he retired in 1999.

After a chance meeting of Violet Redlinger who was picking up her best friend (Paul's niece), Paul knew Violet was the one and won her heart. They were married March 27, 1965 and celebrated 55 years of marriage before Violet's passing in December of 2020.

Paul, an avid traveler, meticulously planned numerous elaborate cross-country trips to California and Florida, usually stopping and visiting with family and friends along the way. After losing his mother and 8 year old niece to cancer in 1976, Paul began a passion for learning about nutrition and adopting healthy living habits. He enjoyed working in the yard and gardening as well as bike rides around the neighborhood. Paul was devoted to discipleship and worship at Emmanuel Baptist Church since 1972. He and Violet enjoyed spending time in fellowship and soul care with their Sunday school class and hosting missionaries and pastors in their home.

Paul loved being a grandparent and spending time with his grandsons. He and Violet enjoyed taking them to COSI, the zoo or a playground a couple times a week and was always so proud of their accomplishments.

Paul, who spent the last 17 months of his life at Holiday Alexis Gardens, genuinely adored the senior community there. Every time he visited the dining room for a meal, he felt like he was "going out to eat." The residents were incredibly welcoming, always stopping by his room or passing by in the dining room to greet him with a friendly "Hi Paul!" The staff and residents are truly amazing and caring people who genuinely care about each other.

Paul will be greatly missed by his brother and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews and a host of friends and neighbors.

In addition to his parents, and siblings, he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law Bessie Redlinger, brother-in-law Roy Redlinger and a beloved niece, Robin Redlinger.

Paul is survived by his daughter Lois (Toby) Vick and grandsons Alexander and Andrew Vick.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026 from 10:00 - 11:00 Am at Emmanuel Baptist Church; 4207 W. Laskey Rd. Toledo, OH 43623, with funeral service starting at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. The family would like to invite everyone back to the Church following the burial for a luncheon.

Arrangements were entrusted to Walker Funeral Home and Crematory; 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. Toledo.