After a long battle with brain cancer, longtime Christian retailer Paul Holsopple died May 20, The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reported. Holsopple—who had owned and operated the Anchor Room Christian bookstore in Fort Wayne, Ind., with his wife, Pauline, since 1979—was 68.

"What a wonderful husband, father, mentor and friend Paul was to us," said an entry posted on Holsopple's CaringBridge.com Web site. "What an outpouring of love and kindness we have been shown. We will miss you terribly, Paul." Holsopple was diagnosed in February 2009 with an advanced brain tumor. The Holsopples started the business in 1969 in their basement. At one time, the store employed 65 people and saw 400 to 500 customers a day. Failing sales led the store to close after 40 years, becoming an exclusively online business in 2009, the Journal Gazette reported.

Holsopple is survived by his wife of 48 years, two children and seven grandchildren. A funeral service is scheduled for tomorrow, May 27, at Maplewood Mennonite Church in Fort Wayne.

• Prev
• Next