Paula Kuvelas Obituary

PAXTON - Paula Kuvelas, 72, of New Harmony, Ind., formerly of Paxton, her soul left this Earth June 17, 2025, early morning, unexpectedly.

Paula was born to Gorman and Lois (Benton) Smith in Newfoundland, Cananda, Jan. 12, 1953.

She was the youngest of five children. The family moved and lived in Alaska, the California mountains, and settled down in Paxton.

Paula is survived by a daughter, Nikki Wright of California and a son, Asa Lorre of Oregon. She is also survived by three brothers, Michael (Vicki) Smith of Raleigh, N.C., Doug (Ruth Ann) Smith of St. Charles, Mo., and Pat (Teresa) Smith of New Harmony, Ind.

Paula is preceded by a brother, William (Sharon) Smith.

Paula had a wide breadth of talents and pursued interests, many throughout her life. She had a passion for remodeling houses and making them into homes where all felt welcome. This endeavour led her to live in several places throughout her adult life and cultivate numerous friendships and communities along the way. She also loved to read, and that love grew into an endless pursuit of knowledge. She dedicated much of her life to collecting and restoring countless books spanning across many eras and genres. Her library, like herself, was rich and diverse and filled with rare treasures.

Paula was a smart, kind and fierce friend. She always saw the best in everyone she met. Much like her homes and her books, she invested a depth of care into all of her relationships. That pureness of spirit allowed her to touch so many lives. And for that, she will be dearly missed. But never forgotten.

Services for Paula will be Saturday, July 26, at Lux Chapel, Rantoul. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. and service will be at 11 a.m. officiated by the Rev. Brett Smith. Burial will be following in Ludlow Cemetery.