Paul Singelyn

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Paul John Singelyn, 82, of Hendersonville Tennessee who departed this life on Sunday May 31, 2026.

Paul was born on June 16, 1943, in Detroit Michigan, he was the son of proud Irish parents James and Adele Singelyn. Out of high school he was accepted into West Point Military Academy and graduated in 1965. He completed Army Ranger and Airborne School before being deployed to Germany where he met his soon to be wife Nancy. They were married in September of 1967 and shortly thereafter he was deployed to the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam he commanded a Combat Engineer company at the rank of Captain.After Vietnam he taught ROTC at Michigan State and completed his master’s degree in physics. He secured a job with the Westinghouse Nuclear Navy Training and Operations Group and moved to Idaho. He was put through a yearlong intense training and qualification program. After finishing top in his class, he was assigned to the newest prototype nuclear reactor. He oversaw teaching Navy Seaman and Officers to operate and maintain the nuclear power plants on US Submarines and Aircraft Carriers. Always a hands-onguy, he left Westinghouse after being promoted into an administrative position and moved to Nashville TN to partner with his brother Dan in the chemical plating industry. 10 years later in 1986, he and Nancy purchased a manufacturing company in Chicago and moved to a nearby suburb city called Naperville. For the remainder of his career he owned and operated Yeunger Wood Molding until he retired. Beyond his career, he was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who anchored his life in his Christian faith, hard work and honesty. He loved to backpack and hike extreme trails at State and National parks. He had a passion for singing in the Naperville Men’s Glee Club and the smaller singing group called Silver Lining. He and Nancy traveled the world with their friends. Later in his life he enjoyedspending time with his sons at the familyproperty on the Cumberland Plateau in East Tennessee.

Paul is survived by his two sons and their wives, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Paul was a force of nature who took life by the horns and loved adventure. Just a couple months before his passing he was hiking up and down his canyon property with the vigor of a man half his age. Paul was very humble and never asked of others but always gave. He was full of joy and loved to laugh. He always saw the good in people and life in general. His love of science made him passionately curious, always wanting to know how everything worked. Paul put his family and friends first.

A celebration of Paul's life will be held on Saturday July 11, 2026, at 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Hendersonville Memory Gardens and Funeral Home. The memorial service will follow, beginning at 3:00pm in the chapel.