Dr. Paul Daluga Jr., age 70, of Linton, passed away to be with the Lord on October 16, 2024 at the age of 70. Paul was born December 23, 1953 to Paul Sr. and Betty (Rivelli) Daluga in Indianapolis where he grew up.

He attended a Catholic grade school and graduated from Cathedral High School. Paul went on to join the United States Air Force for 4 years. From there went on to Indiana University where he finished his undergraduate degree in three years and went on to the IU School of Medicine.

While going to school, he became a father to his first born child, Nicole Daluga-Guenther, and graduated with his Doctorate of Medicine, while occasionally sporting spit up on his shirt in class. He would be the first one to tell you that he studied hard and played harder. He attended as many university activities as he could such as; basketball and soccer games, plays and musicals, as well as frequenting as many local pubs and eateries as possible. After medical school, he continued his medical journey at St. Francis of Indianapolis where he met his wife, Denise. He then chose to become a father to Olivia Huffman (Louzon) and Amanda Smith (Louzon), and shortly after welcomed John Daluga and Alex Garrison (Daluga).

He joined the Rural Health Program that led him to Linton, Indiana where he opened a practice and served at Greene County General Hospital. After serving out his time in the Rural Health Program, he made his way to the Union health group serving at the Clay City Center for Family Medicine that eventually led him to his true passion as the Director of the Residency Program at Union Hospital. In this role, he taught hundreds of young men and women the skills and compassion it takes to become a physician, as well as the care and thoughtfulness that goes into being a loving and supportive caregiver. His job enabled him to touch the lives of countless men, women, and children daily, yet he always stayed humble, kind, and of course, humorous.

Paul truly did not know a stranger and never used his position to place himself higher than anyone else. He treated every person he came into contact with respect and truly cared about the conversations he would have. This is just one of the many things we will remember so fondly about him. 

Paul not only was a wonderful physician, he was the best father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren. Paul enjoyed taking the kids to Bloomington to show off his favorite spots such as the Trojan Horse and Chocolate Moose, taking them to the Bloomington library to share his love of reading and learning, sporting events, exposing them to musicals and plays, and most of all, attending as many movies as possible. Paul coached his children’s soccer teams and was a founding member of the Greene County Soccer Association.

Attending a family vacation with him was always fun and exciting. He was always up for frozen umbrella drinks, cold beer, good food, and a swim in the ocean. He provided endless amounts of laughter, both with him and at his expense, like any loving family would do.

In his later years he moved to The Villages, Florida. He became a member of the Boating Club and Movies Club. He could not let go of medicine after retirement, and became a provider for the Villages Heath where he worked for 7 more years, as well as moon lighting at Union Hospital before he became sick with Polycythemia Vera and eventually developed bone marrow cancer. He fought this battle and continued doing things he loved such as becoming a Cubs season ticket holder, traveling, enjoying his family and attending as many events as he could tolerate.

He is survived by his wife, Denise Daluga, 5 children, Nicole Daluga-Guenther (Eric), Olivia Huffman (Shane), Amanda Smith (Adam), John Daluga (Kaitlyn), and Alex Garrison (Brock). He was a grandfather to 8 grandchildren, Darien Gambill (Drew), Camryn Deschamp (Cory), Amelia Huffman, Arlo and Haddie Smith, Zooey Guenther, Maeven Daluga, and Violet Garrison, as well as 6 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Rita Smith, Christine Thayer (Randy), and Daniel Daluga. 

Paul will be remembered for his larger than life personality, all the good he has done for the medical field and rural medicine, his hand in local community, and the endless amount of love he held for his family. 

Public visitation will be held at Welch & Cornett Funeral Home in Linton on Sunday, October 20, 2024 from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Private funeral service will follow. A private burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greene County Soccer Association, through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared with Paul's family at www.welchcornett.com.