Rushville, Indiana - Paul William Barada

October 5, 1945 - August 28, 2025

"Even if we only positively impact one other life - I believe we have justified our own existence." - Paul W. Barada

Paul William Barada passed away in Rushville, IN, on August 28, 2025. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, knowing the positive impact he had on the lives of so many.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life on October 5, 2025, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The gathering will be held at 201 N. Main St., Rushville, IN.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be directed to the "Varsity Scholar Fund" via the Rush County Community Foundation: https://rushcountyfoundation.org/.

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Son

Paul William Barada was born October 5, 1945, in South Bend, IN, the only child of Paul Maxwell and Margaret (Winship) Barada. Paul's father died at the age of 41 while coaching intramural football at Culver Military Academy, when Paul was only eleven days old. His mother, Margaret "Shippy" Winship Barada—the first woman elected senior class president in the history of DePauw University—died just 17 months later at age 37. It was said she "died of a broken heart."

In 1947, Paul moved to Rushville, IN, where he was raised at 519 N. Perkins St. by his grandfather, William Sampson Winship, and two great-aunts, Cora and Nell Winship.

May the selfless and unwavering love shown by those who raised Paul serve as a powerful and tangible example to his family and friends.

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Husband

Paul met his future wife, Conda (Connie) Jean Climer, on a January 1968 trip to Pasadena, CA, to watch Indiana University's football team play in the Rose Bowl. Connie, originally from Indianapolis and a graduate of North Central High School, is the daughter of Emerson Climer and Mildred Beck.

Paul and Connie were married on October 10, 1970. Paul often recalled their "first kiss" during that trip to California—on one of San Francisco's famous cable cars.

May the devotion and honor of their 54-year marriage serve as inspiration to their family and friends.

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Father

Paul wrote, "My life's most important contribution I share with the woman I have loved for over half a century. That contribution has been our three sons: Paul William Barada, Jr. (53), William Climer Barada (51), and Jonathan Winship Barada (48)."

He also wrote to his sons, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could somehow go back to those days, just for a little while, and build a fort, play with the little green plastic soldiers, and be together again playing in the sandbox or on the swing set on a beautiful summer day?" Indeed, it would.

As a father, Paul was there—playing in the sandbox with his young boys, coaching their youth sports teams, teaching them to play the trumpet, sharing his love of music, introducing them to Monty Python, and instilling the timeless values of education, friendship, and service to others.

May his commitment and steadfast love for his sons serve as an example as they guide and support the lives of their own children.

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Grandfather

Paul and Connie are grandparents to nine grandchildren.

● Paul Jr. and his wife, Kristen Walker Barada, have three children: Heath William (22), Samuel Walker (20), and Jonathan Quinn (18).

● Will and his wife, Eileen Kiefer Barada, have three children: Matthew Kiefer (21), Nicholas Sample (19), and Joseph William (15).

● Jon and his wife, Brooke Manning Barada, have three children: Katherine Coryea (19), Elisabeth Winship (18), and Benjamin Manning (16).

Paul was a steadfast supporter of each of his grandchildren in unique and meaningful ways. "Grandad" will be dearly missed by them all.

May the unending love and support shown by Paul and Connie to their children and grandchildren serve as an exemplar to their friends and family.

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Culver Man

Inspired by his father's appointment to the faculty at Culver Military Academy, Paul treasured the military history and values taught at the Academy. He was a member of the Culver Woodcraft Drum & Bugle Corps and the Culver Naval School Band.

Paul served as a member of Culver Military Academy's Summer School Alumni Association and received both the Alumni Leadership Award (1991) and the Distinguished Service Award (1995). He served on the Culver Educational Foundation Board of Trustees from 1989 to 1991.

Additionally, Paul served in the United States Army Reserves from 1968-1974.

May Paul's devotion to Culver and the United States Army continue to guide his family and friends.

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Rushville Man

Paul proudly graduated from Rushville Consolidated High School (1963). Deeply committed to his community, he gave decades of service to Rushville and Rush County. His roles included executive director of the Rush County Chamber of Commerce, service on the Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation, Rushville Parks Board, Rush County Industrial Development Corporation, and the Southeastern Indiana Private Industry Council. Twice elected to the Rush County School Corporation Board of Trustees, he also served two years as board president.

He was honored as the Rush County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen (1993), named Rushville's Most Influential Man of the 1980s, and received the "Bob Waggener Distinguished Alumnus Award" from Rushville High School (2013).

Paul founded the Rush County Community Foundation, which now holds more than $30 million in assets and awards hundreds of scholarships annually. He also spearheaded the creation of the Rushville Industrial Park, Conrad Harcourt Way, and was instrumental in recruiting major employers like Copeland to Rushville in the 1980s.

A lifelong Rushville Lion football supporter, Paul helped establish Rush County Youth Football, contributed to stadium upgrades, and videotaped games throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He even prepared scouting videos as recently as 2021.

He also founded the "Varsity Scholars" program, enabling Rushville's highest-achieving students to travel abroad—an initiative that continues to this day. He spearheaded the "Welcome to Rushville" signs and countless other civic projects.

As the City of Rushville recently shared: "Paul was one of Rush County's biggest champions, supporting countless community projects. Paul's influence will be felt for generations. Paul never stopped believing in Rushville, and we honor his legacy."

May his steadfast love of small-town values and community serve as inspiration to his family and friends.

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IU Man

Paul graduated from Indiana University (IU) in 1967, beginning his lifelong love for his "beloved alma mater." At IU, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, a football and track manager, and a trumpet player in the Marching Hundred. After home games, Paul could often be found sitting in the west stands, listening to the Marching Hundred's traditional closing piece, "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)."

His dedication to IU continued throughout his life through service on the IU Alumni Association's Executive Council and the "I" Association's Board of Directors.

Paul later pursued graduate studies at the IU Maurer School of Law, the University of Dayton School of Law, and Butler University, and completed the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Notre Dame.

Collectively, Paul and Connie's family have earned nine degrees from IU.

May Paul's love of his alma mater, and its iconic fight song phrase "never daunted," inspire his family and friends with the power of education and lifelong learning.

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Businessman

Paul began his career as administrative assistant to Indiana Lieutenant Governor Richard E. Folz (1969-1972). He later served as executive director of the Rush County Chamber of Commerce before founding Barada Associates, Inc. in 1979.

A pioneer in the background screening industry, Paul built one of the nation's first professional reference-checking services. His leadership grew Barada Associates into a respected company serving clients nationwide, and his expertise made him a sought-after writer and speaker on hiring, employee assessment, and organizational leadership.

Paul's work appeared in Nation's Business, Human Resource Executive, Employment Management Association Journal, Indiana Business Magazine, HR Magazine, and more. He was quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Forbes, Consumer Reports, and U.S. News & World Report. He authored several books, including Professional Reference Checking for Everyone, Courthouse Images, Shelters Going Home (a pictorial history of Rush County's covered bridges), and a novel, The Lullaby Lost.