Edward W. Paup, age 66, a resident of Belen, formerly of Seneca, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 21.

Born December 21, 1945 in Oil City, he was the son of Betty Maxine and William A Paup.

Ed graduated from Cranberry High School in 1963, and married Carol L. Paup in 1965. He graduated from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA in 1967 and was ordained a deacon in the United Methodist Western Pennsylvania Annual (regional) Conference in 1968. He transferred to the Rocky Mountain Conference a year later, where he was ordained an elder in 1970, the year in which he also earned a Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO.

He served as a pastor in Colorado from 1970-89; was superintendent of the Utah/Western District from 1989-93, and was assistant to the bishop in 1993-96 before his election as bishop in 1996. Ed was a general and jurisdictional conference delegate in 1988, 1992, and 1996.

He served as bishop of the Portland, OR Area from 1996 to 2004, and bishop of the Seattle Area until 2008, when he resigned from the episcopacy to become the top staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. He served a year as the general secretary before resigning from the position on Sept. 1, 2009 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Ed was preceded in death by his father, William A. Paup; mother, Betty Maxine Miller; stepfather, Russell Miller; and brother, Danny E. Miller.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carol Paup; three daughters, Tamra Paup of Belen, NM, Jennifer Seyforth and husband Carlton of Santa Clarita, CA, and Wendy Paup-Lefferts and husband Kelley of Pasco, WA; five grandchildren, Hunter, Chase, Madison Seyforth, Naomi, and Eddie Paup-Lefferts; three sisters, Joyce Madison and husband David of Gainesville, VA, Pam Karns of Hermitage, PA, and Carrie Proper of Seneca, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 31, at the First United Methodist Church of Belen, at 1 p.m., with a reception to follow. The church is accepting donations in Edward’s memory to go toward the building of the Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to PO Box 536, Belen, NM, 87002.

Arrangements are being handled by the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, (505)864-4448, 418 W. Reinken Ave., where an online guest register is available at www.noblinfuneralservice.com, where you can express words of sympathy and condolence and share memories of Ed.